Sloan Mattingly was a 7-year-old girl from Indiana who died after being buried by sand on a beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, on February 20, 2024. She was on vacation with her family and was digging a deep hole with her 9-year-old brother, Maddox when the sand collapsed on them. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Maddox survived but was hospitalized in a stable condition. Her parents, Therese and Ryan, paid tribute to their daughter on social media and a GoFundMe page, which raised more than $130,000 for funeral expenses and medical bills. Her death was a tragic and preventable accident that shocked and saddened many people.
What happened to Sloan Mattingly?
Sloan Mattingly was a 7-year-old girl from Indiana who died after being buried by sand on a beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, on February 20, 2024. She was on vacation with her family and was digging a deep hole with her 9-year-old brother, Maddox, when the sand collapsed on them. Beachgoers and rescuers tried to dig them out, but Sloan was trapped under the sand for about 20 minutes. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Maddox survived, but was hospitalized in a stable condition.
Sloan Mattingly Death Cause
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Sloan Mattingly |
| Date of birth | July 16, 2016 |
| Date of death | February 20, 2024 |
| Cause of death | Sand hole collapse |
| Parents | Jason Mattingly and Therese Mattingly |
| Siblings | Maddox Mattingly |
| Residence | Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Occupation | First-grade student |
| Interests | Playing, learning, digging holes in the sand |
Who dug the hole that killed Sloan?
According to a witness, Harry Defina, who spoke to NBC Miami, an unidentified adult man was digging the hole before the children joined him. He said the hole was massive, about 18 feet wide and 6 feet deep, and the man was already buried up to his chest. Defina said he saw the man and walked away, not thinking to warn him of the danger. He later saw the children fall into the hole and the sand cave in. He said he did not know who the man was or what his relation to the children was.
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How did the family and the community react to Mattingly’s death?
Sloan Mattingly’s parents, Therese and Ryan, paid tribute to their daughter on social media and a GoFundMe page, which raised more than $130,000 for funeral expenses and medical bills. Therese wrote that Sloan was the “purest human being” and that they were “forever changed by her”. Ryan wrote that their “baby is in heaven” and that they loved her “too much”. They also thanked the people who tried to save their children and asked for prayers for Maddox’s recovery.
Sloan’s uncle, Chris Sloan, told KFOR-TV that Sloan was “always happy” and “fun to be around”. He said she had a lot of energy and was “totally innocent”. He also shared details of her last moments, saying that she was trying to grab Maddox’s leg to get out of the sand, but eventually stopped moving.
The community also mourned Sloan’s death and expressed their condolences to the family. A candlelight vigil was held at the beach on February 22, where people gathered to pray and sing. A memorial service was held at a church in Indiana on February 26, where Sloan’s classmates, teachers, and friends attended. A balloon release was also organized to honor her memory.
What are the dangers of digging holes on beaches?
Mattingly’s death was not the first case of a child dying from a sand hole collapse. According to the American Lifeguard Association, there have been at least 31 deaths and 21 injuries from sand hole collapses in the US since 1985.
The association warned that digging holes on beaches can be very dangerous, as the sand can become unstable and collapse without warning. The association advised beachgoers to avoid digging holes deeper than their knees, to fill in any holes they dig, and to never leave children unattended near holes. The association also urged authorities to increase patrols and education on beaches where digging is common.
How can we prevent such tragedies from happening again?
Sloan Mattingly’s death was a tragic and preventable accident that shocked and saddened many people. Her family and the community hoped that her story would raise awareness and prevent others from suffering the same fate.
They urged people to be careful and responsible when visiting beaches and to follow the safety guidelines. They also asked people to cherish their loved ones and to live each day with gratitude and joy. As Therese wrote on the GoFundMe page, “Don’t tell us you’re sorry for our loss… don’t do that to us. We experienced the greatest 7.5 years. What we would give.”
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