As a family and community mourns the loss of a seven-year-old girl following a tragedy at a Florida beach, an eyewitness has come forward to share his version of events.
Earlier this week, young Sloan Mattingly tragically lost her life after a sand hole she had been playing in with her brother, Maddox, collapsed near 4424 El Mar Drive in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida.
Maddox was submerged up to his chest in the sand while the Sloan was fully buried. Despite desperate 911 calls and bystanders frantically trying to free her, she was pronounced dead after her body was freed and the two children were rushed to Broward General Medical Center.
But despite initial reports stating that the two children had been digging the hole that subsequently collapsed, one eyewitness had shared a different version of events.
Speaking to CBS News Miami, Harry Defina has come forward, alleging he witnessed someone digging the "massive" sand hole where the children later became trapped.
Defina recounted to the outlet his disbelief upon spotting a lone individual excavating the sizable hole on the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach while he strolled the area on Tuesday afternoon. Little did he know, this seemingly trivial scene would soon spiral into a devastating tragedy.
"I'm upset. No way did they dig that hole. It was massive," Defina expressed. He speculated that the children likely stumbled upon the hole and inadvertently began digging some more until the sides collapsed.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office revealed that the children, vacationing from Indiana with their parents, confirmed that the children had been playing in the sand hole prior to its collapse, sparking an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"Our deepest condolences are with the Mattingly family during this difficult time," expressed the Town of Lauderdale By the Sea in a statement, echoing the sentiments of a community grappling with the tragedy.
As details emerge, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King described the incident as an "unfathomable accident."
With the community rallying behind the grieving family, a GoFundMe campaign - spearheaded by Sally Krouse of Indiana - has been launched to provide financial relief and support. The fundraiser has garnered overwhelming support, with donations pouring in to assist the family in their time of need.
As of this writing, over $130,000 has been raised.
Amidst the outpouring of support, a poignant message attributed to Sloan's mother, Therese, resonates deeply: "A freak accident happened... and it took away our greatest 7.5 years... We experienced the purest human being and we are forever changed by her."
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