Tragic Beach Accident Claims 7-Year-Old Girl in Florida
A family vacation turned deadly for Indiana siblings Sloan and Maddox Mattingly. The children, 7 and 9, were playing in the sand at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach when a large sand hole collapsed, burying them alive. Tragically, Sloan did not survive, and her brother Maddox remains in critical condition.
Family Escapes Winter for Florida Sunshine
In mid-February, Therese and Jason Mattingly packed their kids and left chilly Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the sunny beaches of Florida. On February 20, the family enjoyed the beach before 3 p.m., letting the children dig and play in a large sand hole nearby.
Frantic Rescue Efforts
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the sand swallowed the siblings. A bystander called 911, reporting that a father was yelling for help while his daughter was trapped. “Everybody’s screaming,” the caller said.
Emergency responders quickly arrived, using support boards to prevent further collapse and shovels to dig out the children. Both were rushed to the hospital. Sloan later d**d, while Maddox’s recovery remains uncertain.
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Family Mourns the ‘Purest Human Being’
Therese Mattingly shared her grief on GoFundMe, writing, “A freak accident took away our greatest 7.5 years. Don’t tell us you’re sorry for our loss. We experienced the purest human being and we are forever changed by her.”
The GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $146,000 of its $150,000 goal, aims to help cover funeral costs and ease the family’s financial burden. Friends and family continue to share memories, calling Sloan “the funniest friend, the most loyal sister, and one of the greatest creations her parents ever made.”
