A Florida beach tragedy claimed 7-year-old Sloan Mattingly’s life when a sand hole collapsed on her. Her parents now speak out, hoping to prevent similar incidents as spring break approaches.
The Mattingly family from Fort Wayne, Indiana, faced tragedy on February 20 at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Sloan, 7, and her brother Maddox, 9, were digging in the sand when it collapsed.
Rescuers freed Maddox, buried to his chest, but couldn’t free Sloan for over 15 minutes. Doctors pronounced her dead at the hospital.
Therese Mattingly, Sloan’s mother, was shocked and frustrated, emphasizing they prioritized water safety but overlooked sand hole dangers. “It happened so fast,” Sloan’s father, Jason, said, noting he saved Maddox but couldn’t rescue Sloan quickly, even with others’ help.
The Mattinglys described Sloan as a joyful first-grader who loved Taylor Swift and making friendship bracelets. They are now focused on supporting Maddox as he adjusts to life without his sister, whom he considered his “built-in best friend.”
The family urges for more awareness and safety measures like signs or patrols to prevent tragedies.
Their story sheds light on the underrecognized danger of sand holes, which caused 31 deaths out of 52 incidents between 1997 and 2007, mostly among the young.
As they mourn Sloan and seek to honor her, the Mattinglys hope their story raises awareness and saves lives.