FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – A 5-year-old drowned Saturday morning just north of Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach, according to the Fernandina Beach Fire Department.
Officials said at 11:52 a.m., Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguards were flagged down by beachgoers reporting a child in distress in the ocean just north of Seaside Park.
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The incident occurred about 140 yards north of the lifeguard tower in about two to three feet of water. Officials said there were no rip currents noted in the area, and lifeguards were flying yellow flags.
The 5-year-old had been pulled from the water by bystanders before the lifeguards arrived. Within moments, lifeguards responded, and lifesaving measures were initiated.
The fire department arrived shortly thereafter.
The child was then transported from the beach and transferred to a waiting rescue unit staged in the parking lot of Seaside Park to continue with the resuscitation efforts.
Officials said despite the efforts of beachgoers, first responders, and medical staff, the child later went into cardiac arrest again at the hospital and could not be revived.
“It just makes me really sad,” Samantha Rinker said.
Rinker is a Fernandina Beach resident and visits the beach almost every day.
“You can’t turn around for one second without something that could possibly happen,” she said.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney talked about the dangers of the water.
He said the worst-case scenario can happen to anyone.
According to the CDC, about 4,000 people die from drowning each year in the United States. And we are entering the peak time for fatal drownings as they spike in the summer months of June, July and August.
“Get yourself some type of life jacket and wear it,” Hackney said. “Maybe it’s not the most comfortable thing and maybe it’s not in the highest fashion, but if it can prevent a tragedy like this that occurred, it’s certainly worth it.”
With the summer season on the way, people are going to be rushing to the water to cool off. Fernandina Beach Fire Chief Jeremy Holmes said to hang out close to the lifeguard towers if you have a weaker swimmer with you.
“Just pay attention,” Holmes said, “Pay attention to your surroundings and those around you.”
