Authorities said that while excavating a hole on a Florida beach, 7-year-old Sloan Mattingly and her brother became stuck and perished.
The seconds after two children were drawn into a sand pit in Florida on Tuesday as they were digging are captured on recently leaked audio.
Sloan Mattingly, 7, and her brother Maddox, 9, are said to have become stranded as they dug a hole in the sand close to 4424 El Mar Drive in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
The BCSO claims that when the little girl was brought to Broward Health Medical Center, she passed away there.
The event happened on the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, in front of the High Noon Beach Resort, according to someone who was close and contacted 911. There is a lot of shouting in the sound clip, which was given by WTVJ, an NBC station.
Someone remarked, “There’s a child that they’re trying to get out,” at the beginning of the conversation. She initially became interested in the children’s father, who was “yelling for help because his child is stuck in a hole in the sand.”
The caller said that the mother yelled, “My daughter’s in there!” as she was hanging up.
In addition, the caller stated, “Everyone is screaming.”
WTVJ also played cellphone footage taken by another onlooker, which revealed a large number of people congregated near the hole.
According to the BCSO, when the deadly incident occurred, Sloan and Maddox were vacationing from Indiana with their parents.
According to WTVJ, Maddox was first labeled as being in serious condition and was then transferred to the hospital upon his release. What his current state of health is unclear.
Furthermore, it’s unclear how long the children were buried. Spokesman for Fire Rescue Sandra King told WTVJ that support boards were utilized to prevent the about five to six foot deep hole from collapsing while the rescue was being conducted.
For Sloan’s family, Sally Krouse created a GoFundMe page, stating that Therese, Sloan’s mother, referred to the events as “a freak accident.”
“What started out as an incredible family vacation swiftly evolved into the incredibly tragic loss,” Krouse stated in the web fundraiser’s description. The total amount raised was almost $33,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
“Your donation can help bring Sloan home from Florida, cover funeral costs, and ease the financial stress as they learn to navigate their new world,” Krouse stated, adding, “We know that no amount of money will bring beautiful Sloan back.”
