On Sunday, an unimaginable tragedy struck a small beach in Cameron Parish, Louisiana when 28-year-old Samantha Alexander and her two daughters drowned while attempting to save the other members of their family from the strong waves.
Alexander, a Mississippi native, had taken her four children to Long Beach. When the waves became too powerful for the children, Alexander went into the water in an attempt to rescue them. Unfortunately, her 7-year-old and 8-year-old daughters were unable to be saved.
The tragedy was averted for Alexander’s 9-year-old son, who was able to wave for help from the shoreline. He was taken to a local hospital and was released shortly afterwards. The youngest in the bunch, a 3-year-old boy, was able to lead sheriff’s deputies to the scene.
Sheriff Ron Johnson revealed to NOLA.com that the incident occurred due to the violent waves crashing onto the rocks from the Gulf. The powerful motion of the waters had made it extremely difficult to swim against. When the bodies of the mother and her daughters were recovered, it was evident that the waves had taken a toll. The bodies were found roughly 100 feet apart from each other. Johnson added that the beach was very remote and that there were not many places to park or find help if needed.
The father of the children works in the Cameron Beach area for a liquefied natural gas facility. This tragedy serves as a reminder to be cognizant of the potential dangers of swimming in the ocean. Waves can be unpredictable and powerful, and it is important to keep in mind the risks before entering the water. All swimmers should be aware of their location and make sure that there are people around who can help if needed.