Sloan Mattingly, a seven-year-old girl from Indiana, died while on vacation when she and her nine-year-old brother, Maddox, became caught in a sand hole while playing, People said.
The small girl was brought to Broward Health Medical Center and pronounced deceased, while her brother is apparently in critical condition.
Sandra King, a spokesperson for Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, stated that “Rescuers used support boards to keep the hole, which was about five to six feet deep, from collapsing during the rescue.”
A bystander who contacted 911 reported that the event occurred on the beach in front of the High Noon Beach Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The family was on vacation in Florida.
In the viral video, witnesses can be heard stating, “There’s a child that they’re trying to get out.”
Sally Krouse started a GoFundMe account for Sloan’s family, which had earned more than $33,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
Krouse said in the web fundraiser’s description, “We know that no amount of money will bring beautiful Sloan back, but 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.”
