Headline Surfer file photo / Beachgoers are encouraged to swim in front of a lifeguard as shown in this 2014 video at the World's Most Fanous Beach in Daytona.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 7-year-old boy from Ocala drowned Saturday in the surf north of Ormond Beach where Volusia County lifeguards were not stationed despite Thanksgiving weekend crowds.
Here is a synopsis of what occurred as described in an email media alert to Headline Surfer by Volusia County Beach Safety Capt. Laura S. Warner: A little after 1 p.m. (Saturday) a grandfather and two of his grandchildren entered the ocean in an unguarded area near 1900 block north of Ormond Beach. A beachgoer witnessed the children's grandmother standing on the beach yelling for someone to help her husband and grandchildren.
Soneone heard the frantic xries for help and called 9-1-1: Beach safety personnel arrived within minutes.
"Beach units responded to the scene where a 7-year-old boy from Ocala, was unresponsive when our lifeguards pulled him from the water," Warner said. "We initiated lifesaving measures and he was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased."
"Beach units responded to the scene where a 7-year-old boy from Ocala was unresponsive when our lifeguards pulled him from the water," Volusia County Beach Safety Capt. Laura S. Warner said. "We initiated lifesaving measures and he was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The boy's grandfather, 39, from Ocala, was treated on scene non-life-threatening injuries. Another grandchild, a 16-year-old girl, from Ocala, was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The grandmother, 56, was transported by EVAC for non-life-threatening concerns.
The third grandchild, an 11-year-old girl was safely on shore for the duration of the incident and did not require any medical interventions, Warner said.
Neither the name of the drowning victim nor the names of any of others rescued or tended to were identified by Beach Safety.
Beach Safety officials said red flags were posted along the beaches and lifeguards rescued a total of 13 other people from rough surf and rip currents on Saturday.
Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories. Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.