Father Drowns Saving Kids on Father’s Day
A 33-year-old father tragically lost his life while trying to rescue his daughters from drowning during a Father’s Day outing at a Fort Lauderdale beach in Florida.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, June 15, near the B Ocean Resort. Around 7:20 p.m., just minutes after ocean rescue crews had gone off duty, emergency services received multiple 911 calls reporting a drowning.
Despite being off the clock, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews quickly responded, reversing their trucks to reach the scene as fast as possible.
According to authorities, the father, Antwon Wilson, entered the water after noticing that two of his daughters appeared to be in distress.
As he attempted to help them, a bystander—Eslam Saad, a Good Samaritan—also jumped into the ocean to assist.
However, Saad became overwhelmed by the current and was briefly pulled underwater before managing to save himself.
“I didn’t think about anything. I didn’t even tell my wife. I just jumped into the water,” Saad told reporters.
He recounted reaching one of the children and encouraging her to stay calm as he tried to guide her back to shore.
“I told her, ‘Please, I know you are panicking, but I’ll do my best to get you out.’”
Thanks to the combined efforts of Saad and lifeguards, both children were ultimately rescued.
Saad and one of the daughters were transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where they were treated and reported to be awake and responsive.
Sadly, Wilson did not resurface after going under. He was pulled from the water a short time later, and emergency responders performed CPR before transporting him to the same hospital. He was later pronounced dead.
Saad, speaking from the hospital, said he had asked about the children’s condition, only to be informed that their father had passed away.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department has opened an investigation, though initial findings suggest that the death was the result of an accidental drowning.
“This was an act of heroism,” Battalion Chief Daniel Moran said. “He died trying to save his kids.”
Father Drowns Saving Kids on Father’s Day