Indiana siblings Sloan and Maddox Mattingly experienced a tragic beach day at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. What started as innocent enjoyment digging in the sand culminated in seven-year-old Sloan losing her life and nine-year-old Maddox battling for survival in the hospital.
The Mattingly family, hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was on vacation to escape the winter cold. On February 20, while playing close to their parents, Sloan and Maddox inadvertently wandered into a large sand hole. In an instant, the sand collapsed around them.
Bystanders heard screams and witnessed frantic attempts to dig the children out. A beachgoer dialed 911, reporting a child trapped in the sand. The children’s father desperately sought assistance as the sand engulfed Sloan, while their mother also called out for help.
Emergency response teams arrived promptly, employing support boards to secure the sand and utilizing shovels to extricate the children. Unfortunately, despite their dedicated efforts, Sloan did not make it. Maddox was swiftly transported to the hospital in a critical state.
Maddox’s present condition is still unclear as the family grapples with the heartbreaking loss of Sloan while holding onto hope for his recovery. This tragic incident has profoundly impacted the Mattingly family and their loved ones, serving as a stark reminder of the concealed hazards that can arise even during innocent play.
