A Central Florida family is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old Orlando teen who died after being caught in a rip current off Daytona Beach. Amareon Anthony, 17, and a friend were caught in the rip current on Friday evening. Lifeguards rescued the girl, but crews spent hours searching for Anthony.
Search Efforts
Volusia County Beach Safety had 25 lifeguards in the water, two jet skis, and a rescue vessel running side-scan sonar during the search. The search ended Saturday morning after a bystander spotted someone floating in the water and called 911.
Anthony’s aunt, LaQuice Anthony, said her nephew was a bright, kind teenager who loved spending time at the beach. “He was a very smart child. He was bright. He was his own person,” she said. The tragedy is especially difficult because the ocean was one of his favorite places.
As the family prepares to say goodbye, Anthony said they are also struggling with how to explain the loss to Amareon’s 9-year-old sister. “His little sister — that was her person. That was her Superman. That was her hero,” she said.
Warning to Others
Anthony hopes her family’s tragedy serves as a reminder for others visiting Florida’s beaches. “Just be careful around the water,” she said.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
