Introduction to the Incident
A teen’s body was found in the water after reports of a missing swimmer at Fort Lauderdale Beach, police said.
A missing swimmer was reported at around 4:42 p.m. in the ocean near the 800 block of Seabreeze Boulevard, according to Fort Lauderdale Police.
Search and Rescue Efforts
FLPD’s dive team and several boats were seen out in the ocean searching for the swimmer.
Divers found the teen’s body just after 8 p.m. and determined the cause was accidental drowning.
Details from Eyewitnesses and Parents
A parent told NBC6 that her son was in the water with several of his basketball teammates, and they were having a hard time getting back to shore. Lifeguards ran to save them.
“He said the water was rough and they brought him back in, and they noticed one of their teammates was still out there and they kept trying to tell the lifeguard that,” she said.
The group is from Lake Worth, and they were in town to bond as a team, the parent said. Several parents were with them as well.
Reaction from the Community
The teen’s teammates held onto each other as they waited and hoped for good news.
“It’s devastating because no one ever wants to get this phone call regarding their child,” the parent said. “The kids are devastated, crying and hugging each other, so it’s going to be hard.”
Hundreds of people on the beach describe the conditions in almost the same way.
“I saw the waves getting harder and harder,” Ruth Gomez said.
“It’s dangerous out there,” Greg Waldman said.
Gomez was with her cousins when she saw the chaos around them.
“All I saw is them panicking, they’re crying, especially the little ones,” Gomez said. “It’s very sad because she’s 12, and if that was me, I would have been upset. As being a Christian, I hoped that today is Good Friday, I didn’t expect this to be a bad Friday.”
Investigation and Next Steps
The teen’s identity or age was not released. Per protocol, Fort Lauderdale Police are conducting a death investigation.
Check back with NBC6 for updates.
Conclusion
The incident at Fort Lauderdale Beach is a tragic reminder of the dangers of swimming in rough waters. The community is in mourning for the loss of the young teen, and the investigation is ongoing. It’s essential for beachgoers to be aware of the conditions and follow safety guidelines to avoid such accidents.
FAQs
Q: What happened at Fort Lauderdale Beach?
A: A teen swimmer went missing, and their body was found in the water after a search and rescue operation.
Q: What were the conditions like at the beach?
A: The water was rough, with hard waves, making it difficult for swimmers to get back to shore.
Q: Who was the teen with at the time of the incident?
A: The teen was with their basketball teammates from Lake Worth, who were in town for a team-bonding trip.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The Fort Lauderdale Police are conducting a death investigation, and the teen’s identity and age have not been released.
