The parents of Sloan Mattingly — the 7-year-oldIndiana girl who died after getting trapped in a collapsed sand holeon a Florida beach in February — are speaking out about their tragedy in hopes to save other families from this hidden danger.
Therese Mattingly and Jason Mattingly sat down for an emotional interview withGood Morning America’s Erielle Reshef that aired Thursday, where they remembered their bright and vivacious daughter “as a beam of light [and] joy.”
“She just lived life,” said Jason of his little girl, who loved unicorns andTaylor Swift. “She would come out in the morning and she would fist-bump right out of bed. She’d always be so happy.”
Added Therese: “She wasn’t into like, the big, ‘Take me to Disney.’ She was just like, ‘Come dance with me in the living room.’ So we did.”
Sloan Mattingly.GoFundMe
GoFundMe
Recalled Jason: “It was kind of a blur, and it’s probably maybe my mind protecting myself, but it just happened so fast. In my mind I had her in my hands, but the weight of the sand was too much.”
Therese Mattingly and Jason Mattingly remember their daughter Sloan during an emotional interview on ‘Good Morning America’.Good Morning America/X
Good Morning America/X
“It didn’t matter that we were literally right there,” said Therese. “It was just a hole and then it was nothing. And then it just becomes chaos and horror.”
Others on the beach joined in rescue efforts, calling 9-1-1 and helping to find the children in the hole several feet deep. Maddix was pulled out first, while Sloan remained trapped for more than 15 minutes before she was eventually freed. She was unresponsive and transported to a local hospital, where she later died.
Both Therese and Jason toldGMAthey felt like time stood still as they rushed to find their children.
They shared gratitude to first responders, hospital workers and those on the beach who offered their support. “Everyone tried their hardest but unfortunately, it didn’t work out in our favor,” said Jason.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Therese said, to those fellow beachgoers. “You witnessed our horror.”
“You go to the beach you think of water safety, and this never ever once crossed my mind,” noted Therese. “And of course looking now it’s like, ‘Of course.’ And so that’s where it’s really frustrating.”
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Experts say any hole dug in the sand should be no deeper than the knee of the shortest person digging it. But that message, or warnings about sinkholes, aren’t often posted on beaches — something Therese and Jason hope to see changed.
“And strangers, if you see something that’s dangerous, take the courage and say something,” said Jason.
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Good Morning Americaairs weekdays on ABC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.
source: people.com
