A father who was celebrating Father’s Day with his two daughters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., died while protecting them from drowning.
On Sunday, June 15, around 7:20 p.m., Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) received 911 calls reporting a drowning in the ocean on Fort Lauderdale Beach near the B Ocean Resort.
Although the Ocean Rescue crew was off duty at 7 p.m., lieutenants hurried to the scene once they learned of the incident. “They were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,” Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Daniel Moran explained.
Antwon Wilson, 33, stepped into the ocean after two of his children became distressed. One of his kids, aged 7 to 10, was “struggling in the water,” and Wilson was attempting to assist her.
“The father made it to the daughter and was able to keep her afloat until lifeguards were able to get in and pull the daughter out,” according to Moran.
Another adult, Eslam Saad, jumped into the waters to save the youngsters but became “overwhelmed” and was carried underwater before he could self-rescue, according to accounts.
“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 7News Miami. “I just tried to swim, I just tried to get out with her. I think I did my best to get her closer to offshore.”
“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,’ ” Saad told the outlet. He brought her closer to shore, and then the lifeguards took over.
Both younger girls were saved.
Wilson did not reappear after diving underwater, and he was discovered a few minutes later. He was carried to shore, where paramedics conducted life-saving procedures. Wilson, one of his children, and Saad were all taken to the Broward Health Medical Center. He was pronounced dead in the hospital.
