According to police and reports, a father tragically died on Father’s Day in Florida while racing into the ocean to save his two young daughters who were about to drown.
Around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, Antwon Wilson, 33, was having a good time at the beach close to the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale when he noticed his children in trouble and rushed into the water to save them, according to reports and police.
Before he drowned, the father was able to reach her because he was close by, FLFR Battalion Chief Danny Moran said.
Twenty minutes prior, lifeguards had just closed their towers, but they were still close by and hurried back.
“He jumped into the ocean to try and help. He became overwhelmed, went underwater and was able to self-rescue,” Moran said.
According to Moran, a stranger heard the disturbance and acted quickly.
To try to assist, he dove into the sea. He was able to self-rescue after becoming overwhelmed and submerged, according to Moran.
When the good Samaritan heard the cries for assistance, he didn’t hesitate, according to Eslam Saad, who was on vacation from Ohio.
“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 said.
Saad swallowed gulps of water in an attempt to stay afloat as he struggled in the rough conditions. He admitted to local media that he could hardly leave the ocean.
“I was able to hear my youngest girl crying, my wife,” Saad remarked.
When he eventually got to one of Wilson’s daughters, Saad claimed to have urged her to remain composed.
“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 stated.
Saad instructed the girl to jump for assistance and stand on his shoulder.
He said, “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. I was drowning also. I think it was a miracle I am safe right now.”
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She was reportedly able to be taken to safety by Ocean Rescue lieutenants. However, authorities reported that Wilson was not located for a number of minutes.
Rescuers hurried him to shore and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after they eventually located him.
Wilson was declared dead at Broward Health Medical Center after the father, one of the daughters, and Saad were transported there. The girl was “awake and responsive” after Saad was freed.
“I wish I could have done more,” Saad said, adding that he has a daughter about Wilson’s age.
“Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I’m OK,” Saad stated. “I was trying to ask about them, they told me her dad was already gone.”
