UPDATE: Child pulled from Gulf of Mexico has died
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A child has died in the hospital after bystanders found him Wednesday afternoon unresponsive in the water, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
A South Walton Fire District lifeguard was near Gulfview Heights Street, on the way to another medical call when they were stopped by bystanders.
The bystanders directed the lifeguard to a group of people helping a child back to shore.
Witnesses said that the child was found floating face down in the water around 3 p.m. near the second sandbar.
The lifeguard then entered the water to help all people back to shore, who had already started CPR and lifesaving care.
SWFD units then came on scene and took the child to the hospital.
Yellow and purple flags were flying at the time of the incident, indicating a moderate risk of rip currents and hazards, as well as the presence of jellyfish.
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