A Father’s Day tragedy unfolded in Florida when a dad died while rushing into the ocean to save his two young daughters who were on the verge of drowning themselves, according to police and reports.
Antwon Wilson, 33, was celebrating at the beach near the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale at around 7:20 p.m. Sunday when he saw his kids in distress and raced into the water to rescue them, according to police and reports.
“The father was nearby and able to make it to her and help keep her afloat before he went under,” FLFR Battalion Chief Danny Moran told WSVN.
Lifeguards had just closed their towers twenty minutes before but were nearby and rushed back.
“They were first on scene, they were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,” Moran told WSVN.
A stranger heard the commotion and jumped into action, Moran said.
“He jumped into the ocean to try and help. He became overwhelmed, went underwater and was able to self-rescue,” said Moran.
Eslam Saad, the good Samaritan on vacation from Ohio, told WSVN that he didn’t hesitate when he heard the cries for help.
“I didn’t think about anything. I didn’t even tell my wife I’m going in the water again. I just jumped into the water,” Saad told WSVN.
Saad struggled desperately in the rough conditions, swallowing gulps of water trying to stay afloat. He told local outlets that he barely was able to get out of the ocean himself.
“I was able to hear my youngest girl crying, my wife,” said Saad.
Saad said once he finally reached one of Wilson’s daughters that he encouraged her to keep calm, according to WSVN.
“When I got close to her, I told her, ‘Please, I know you are in panic. Please, do not do anything crazy, I will try my best to get you out,” he said.
Saad told the girl to stand on his shoulder and leap toward help, according to WTVJ.
“I think I did my best to get her closer to the shore, and after that, she stood on my shoulder and jumped toward the beach outside,” he told WTVJ. “I was drowning also. I think it was a miracle I am safe right now.”
Ocean Rescue lieutenants were able to take her to safety, according to reports. But Wilson wasn’t found for several minutes, officials told local outlets.
When rescue workers finally found him they rushed him to shore and gave him CPR.
The father, one of the daughters and Saad were taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where Wilson was pronounced dead. Saad was released and the girl was “awake and responsive,” according to WFLA.
Saad, who told WTVJ that he has a daughter around the same age as Wilson, wished he could have done more.
“Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I’m OK,” Saad told local outlets. “I was trying to ask about them, they told me her dad was already gone.”
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