Florida dad dies after helping save his daughter from drowning on Father's Day
That was the tragic story coming out of Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, when 33-year-old Antwon Wilson died while his daughter and another adult were hospitalized, according to authorities.
Wilson was spending time with his two children on the beach for Father's Day when the minors became distressed in the water by the B Ocean Resort at about 7.30pm, 20 minutes or so after the lifeguards in the vicinity had shifted off duty, authorities told the local news outlet WSVN.
Lifeguards returned upon receiving an emergency call for help from the hotel – and when they arrived, they spotted Wilson keeping one of the girls who was still in the water afloat, the Fort Lauderdale fire and rescue battalion chief, Danny Moran, said.
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Another man, identified as bystander Eslam Saad, tried to help Wilson and the girl, Moran said. But 'he became overwhelmed' and had to get out of the water, Moran added.
Moran said lifeguards then managed to pull Wilson's daughter out of the ocean, but the father went underwater. Rescuers eventually found him, brought him back to shore and took him to a local hospital alongside his daughter and Saad.
At the hospital, Wilson was pronounced dead while his daughter and Saad were expected to fully recover physically, officials said.
WSVN spoke with Saad, who recounted instinctively jumping in to help Wilson and his daughter upon hearing people near him scream 'help' repeatedly on Sunday. He said a frightening experience ensued – but he would not change any of his choices if given the chance.
'I would do the same thing no matter the consequences,' Saad reportedly said.
Once Saad was at the hospital and OK, he said he tried to ask for Wilson and his daughter, who was described as being younger than 11.
Doctors gave him the heartbreaking news about Wilson at that point, Saad remarked. 'They told me her dad was already gone,' Saad said to WSVN.
News of Wilson's final moments made national headlines, particularly in corners of the internet dedicated to highlighting selfless acts. His story also spread widely across social media as loved ones paid tribute to him.
A statement attributed to his grandmother solicited prayers for her family to have the strength to grieve her grandson, whom she referred to by the nickname 'Twon'.
'I'll always remember the good times we shared,' the grandmother's statement read in part. 'And for that, my God, I say thank you.'
A colleague's statement said Wilson worked for a provider of tax and financial services.
A separate statement said Wilson had very recently been participating in calls to organize a school reunion. A link to a GoFundMe campaign set up in Wilson's honor for the benefit of his daughters was posted to a social media group for that reunion.
Another statement attributed to a childhood friend of Wilson expressed an inability to 'understand why [he] had to go'.
'You [are] definitely a hero, my guy,' yet another friend's statement said. 'See ya on the other side.'
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