This heartbreaking incident at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach in Florida left a deep impact on the Mattingly family and community. Maddox and Sloan, like any kid enjoying a day at the beach, were caught up in a sudden and tragic accident while playing in the sand. The sandhole collapse resulted in the tragic death of Sloan and left Maddox fighting for his life in the hospital, causing immense devastation to their parents, Therese and Jason Mattingly.
The sequence of events leading to the accident occurred during what was supposed to be a joyous family vacation away from the harsh winter weather of Fort Wayne, Indiana. An unexpected turn of events turned an expensive family vacation into a deeply sad memory that no one could have predicted.
Maddox and Sloan Like any other kids, Mattingly from Indiana had a great time at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on the Florida beach.
They were digging in the sand and having fun.
But a terrible event happened. Seven-year-old Sloan was trapped when the sand suddenly came crashing down on them. She did not survive attempts to save her. Nine-year-old Maddox, her older brother, was also imprisoned and is currently fighting for his life in hospital.
This sudden tragedy devastated their parents, Therese and Jason Mattingly.
They traveled from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Florida with their kids in tow to enjoy the beach and avoid the harsh winter weather. Everyone had a great time at the beach around 3:00 pm. February 20, when the incident occurred.
And then they had a family vacation memory that no one wanted.
“Everybody’s screaming,” exclaimed a beachgoer who called 911 after observing the individual furiously digging a hole.
“There’s a kid trying to get out,” the 911 caller said, according to People. The caller then described hearing the children’s father “yelling for help because his child is trapped in a hole in the sand,” and that while she was on the phone, the mother began yelling, “My daughter is there. “
The sand hid Sloan and Maddox, who were trapped in the sand hole.
NBC rescue teams arrived to help.
Sloan and her brother were rescued from the large hole using shovels and special boards designed to prevent more sand from falling. We don’t know how long they were trapped before help arrived.
Both children were taken to hospital. Tragically, Sloan died there. Maddox is in serious condition and his current medical condition is unknown.
“While on vacation, our family was involved in a horrific accident that claimed the life of our beloved Sloan. She was 7 and a half years old.”
Don’t apologize for our loss, please.
We met the most amazing girl ever and she has completely changed our lives,” Sloan’s mother said in a GoFundMe campaign for their family. “You have no idea how much we adore you. Our beloved Sloan. We really miss you.”
The GoFundMe page has raised nearly $146,000 of the $150,000 goal. It reads: “The loss of their 7-year-old daughter/sister Sloan turned what started as a beautiful family vacation into a devastating tragedy. While we recognize that money can’t bring Sloan back, your contribution will help get Sloan back.” back from Florida, pay for his funeral, and ease their financial transition as they adjust to their new life.”
Meanwhile, friends and relatives are expressing their love and condolences to the “sweet girl” who “was so much more than her final moments”.
Family friend Whitney Kanjala posted a picture of the family outside Sloan’s Luxury Ice Cream in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. She said on her Facebook page: “She was the funniest friend you could ever ask for, the most loyal sister, [the] smallest yet most acrobatic … and one of the greatest creations Therese Mattingly and Jason Mattingly ever made.”
Sloan’s father shared the same picture on Facebook on February 22, along with the caption: “We took Sloan to this ice cream shop with her name on it. Despite the bad and rainy day, we managed to make the most of our resources. He also played impromptu karaoke at our Airbnb and visited a nearby arcade.”
“I’ve lived here for 50 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” he told local CBS, referring to the beach where the tragedy occurred. “I’m shocked. I’m beyond impressed. I had no idea anything could happen during the excavation to cause it to collapse under a person who was just enjoying the beach.”
Another resident offered his theories regarding the possible cause of the hole.
Local Harry Defina told NBC Miami that about half an hour before the disaster, the children were playing in the hole dug by the father.
“As I walked along the shore, I noticed a man who had dug a huge hole that reached up to his chest. I turned to face him, he turned to face my back, and I turned to leave. Defina commented, “He didn’t think I was on it, go tell him not to do it.” “That anyone would believe that those kids dug that hole even pisses me off. They found it uninteresting. 18 feet long and 6 feet wide, so it was big.”
“I see children in the hole,” said Defina, trying not to cry as he recounted what he observed after the children were buried. I could see the top of the girl’s head and that was about all I could see of the boy. I can’t go on with this anymore.”
The police are still investigating the incident and
“The recent Lauderdale-by-the-Sea accident is a grim reminder of why we must work together to keep our beaches safe,” said the association’s chief of health and safety Bernard J. Fisher Il. “By taking these steps and creating a community that cares about safety, we can prevent further tragedies and ensure our beaches remain happy places for everyone to enjoy.”
In places where people dig in the sand, the group would like to see more beach patrols.
Peace be with you, little one. It is truly tragic that while defenseless children were playing, a terrible tragedy occurred.
Sloan and Maddox’s incident on the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida left a deep impact on their family and community. The tragic accident in which Sloan lost her life and Maddox was seriously injured shook everyone involved. Despite the efforts of rescue teams and the support of friends and relatives, the result was heartbreaking.
The community response, including GoFundMe fundraising efforts and expressions of love and condolences, highlights the empathy and care people have shown the Mattingly family during this difficult time. The family’s heartfelt messages and memories shared about Sloan reflect the profound loss they are experiencing.
As investigations into the circumstances of the incident continue, there are calls for increased security measures on beaches, particularly in areas where people dig in the sand. The focus on community cooperation and safety underscores the importance of preventing such tragedies in the future and ensuring the beaches remain safe and enjoyable for all.
In the midst of this tragedy, the memory of Sloan and the impact she had on those around her will be cherished. Community support and efforts to promote beach safety serve as a tribute to her and a reminder of the need for vigilance in recreational activities near coastal areas.