A seven-year-old Indiana girl died and her nine-year-old brother was hospitalised when the hole they were digging at a Florida beach collapsed on top of them, authorities said.
Sloan and Maddox Mattingly were playing at a beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea when they became buried by the sand, Broward Sheriff’s Office said.
They were on vacation with their parents.
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Multiple agencies responded to calls for help about 3.16pm local time on Tuesday.
Mobile phone video obtained by NBC South Florida showed several people using their hands to try to rescue the children.
Rescuers then used support boards to prevent the sand from collapsing further and shovels to dig the siblings out from the 1.5m-deep hole, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokesperson Sandra King said.
It’s not clear how long the children were buried before they were rescued.
Local council staff said the beach does not have lifeguards.
Both children were taken to hospital, where Sloan later died.
Maddox is stable, NBC affiliate WPTV of West Palm Beach reported.
“Our hearts are heavy in LBTS today after learning two children were trapped in the sand,” the Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea said on Facebook.
The incident prompted a warning from the American Lifeguard Association about the dangers of digging deep holes in the sand.
The association also said it is advocating for increased beach patrols in areas known for sand digging and requested that beach patrols enhance its emergency response training.
“The recent incident in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a heart-wrenching reminder of why we must work together to keep our beaches safe,” health and safety director Bernard J. Fisher II said.
“By implementing these measures and fostering a community of safety and awareness, we can prevent future tragedies and ensure our beaches remain places of joy and recreation for everyone.”
