Beachgoers rush to pull 5-year-old from ocean along Florida coast, officials say
.jpg "A 5-year-old child died after drowning in a Florida beach.")
Beachgoers in Florida sprung into action to try to save a 5-year-old who was drowning.
Just before noon on June 7, lifeguards at Fernandina Beach were flagged down after a child was in distress, according to a news release from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department.
The child was found face down in 2 to 3 feet of water, roughly 5 feet from shore, the Fernandina Observer reported.
Beachgoers pulled the child from the water, then lifeguards performed CPR.
The Fernandina Beach Fire Department and Ocean Rescue arrived and the child, who still had a pulse, was taken to a “waiting rescue unit staged in the parking lot,” the release said.
The child was taken to a hospital where they went into cardiac arrest and died, according to officials.
“Our thoughts are with the child’s family during this tragic time, and we are grateful for the quick actions of the bystanders, and for the rapid response and professionalism of our Ocean Rescue and Fire Department personnel,” Fire Chief Jeremy Holmes said in the release.
Officials said there were no rip currents noted and “lifeguards were flying yellow flags.”
Officials have not released the child’s identity as of June 8.
