7-Year-Old Girl Dies After Sand Hole Collapses on Beach

Florida beachgoers frantically tried to save two children who were buried after a sand hole they were digging collapsed. Although a 9-year-old boy was pulled out alive, his sister was killed. The New England Journal of Medicine found 52 cases over 10 years in which victims became completely submerged, leaving no evidence of the location of the victim. In the wake of the latest tragedy, safety experts say you should never dig a hole in the sand deeper than your knees.

[churchsbiscuits]

My daughter now understands why I never wanted her to do this.

[loveforeignaccents]

This is absolutely horrific. That family will never be the same.
RIP, sweet Sloane.

[Coco_Ono]

I was born and raised in California going to the beach, as were both of my parents, and we had no idea of this danger. This needs to be a public announcement on all beaches in the United States going forward.

[TechInspected]

RIP. PSA: Don't let anyone dig holes bigger than their bodies.

[lorrainefoster]

The pain they must feel going home as a family of three. May she rest with the Lord.

[Childhooddreamer]

The poor girl, bless her little heart for being so full of love, light and life. 😢💔

[ZukaraTheGame]

This happens way more often than you think. There is not enough awareness of just how dangerous this really is.

[peachjamez]

To everyone saying “where were the parents” they were probably right next to them. But sadly didn’t think that it could collapse in a split second. It’s sad but it’s a true fact that plenty of parents let their kids dig big holes at the beach. Have seen it plenty of times.

[alanmorris]

When I was a kid, we went to Atlantic Beach in South Carolina every summer and my dad always told me, "Don't dig no holes, just build something!"

[rooh]

My son was 4 years old and we were at a beach I had gone to since I was his age. I was playing with my 6 year old daughter, and my son was walking along the shallow area so I wasn't concerned.

What I didn't know was that about 10 feet before you reach the ropes that section off the swimming area from the rest of the lake and shoreline, the bottom of the lake drops dramatically to about 6 feet deep. He went under and I didn't even see it.

Two women sunbathing nearby jumped in and grabbed him, I noticed as they were jumping in and ran over from about 20 yards away. It happened in under 10 seconds, and they were furious with me, rightfully so. I apologized profusely and I was emotional about what could have happened, they calmed down quickly but it's amazing how fast things can go bad. I was blessed that day, and never forgot about it.

[TrumpwonDaDebate]

The way that little girl died and the way the little boy survived what a horrible accident....that boy will be traumatized for life

[libby]

I live on the beach...We have all been warned about digging holes on the beach for years...Be careful...Don't dig deep and fill up when you leave...People don't use good judgement...Happen every year:(

[apemancommeth]

As a kid I built a big snow cave and it collapsed on me! It was so heavy, It was hard to breathe and thankfully my brother helped or I’m sure I would’ve died! What a terrible tragedy, that family will never be the same!

[AdhamOhm]

I remember as a kid me and my cousins were digging a tunnel in the sand at the beach. The lifeguards yelled at us to stop and they filled the hole back in. I didn't get understand why they did that, we thought they were just being lame.

Then a few days later there was an incident in another beach a couple towns over where some kids were doing the same thing, only their tunnel caved in and one of them died. It was a morbid lesson that made me realize that the lifeguards were looking out for us.

[valamoss]

Who digs a 6ft hole in sand? Weren't these kids watched at all?

[IlIlIUnknownadventurer]

This is bizarre. I have never seen kids dig a hole deep enough to get lost in and I grew up on the beach. What a tragedy. Rip little one.

[LeilanaV]

That poor dear brother traumatized with thoughts and sadness grief 😢

[Jen_Jen.]

Prayers for this family I can’t even imagine going to vacation as a family of 4 and coming back one less due to a freak accident like this. I pray they find strength, patience, and healing

[skoop]

that kid will have ptsd for the rest of his life

[psychedforlife]

She was so little and innocent. It's just too sad to imagine what she went through. 😢