What started as a joyful day at the beach turned into every parent’s worst nightmare for the Mattingly family from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

During a family getaway to escape the winter cold, Jason and Therese Mattingly took their two children, Sloan, 7, and Maddox, 9, to the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. On February 20, while the kids played and dug in the sand, a hidden danger emerged. The sand beneath them suddenly gave way, collapsing into a large hole and trapping both children.

Bystanders heard screams and rushed to help as panic set in. Witnesses say the children’s father desperately tried to dig them out while their mother cried for help. One beachgoer quickly dialed 911 to report the emergency.

Emergency crews responded immediately. Using support boards to stabilize the hole and shovels to carefully remove sand, rescuers worked to free the siblings. Tragically, Sloan didn’t survive. Maddox was pulled out and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

As of now, Maddox’s condition remains uncertain. The Mattingly family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of their young daughter while praying for their son’s recovery, as what was meant to be a relaxing family vacation turned into an unimaginable tragedy.