A summer family vacation turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when 38-year-old former professional baseball player Chase Childers lost his life while heroically rescuing five people caught in a dangerous rip current off the coast of South Carolina.
The emotional and devastating incident unfolded in front of his wife and their three children during a trip to Pawleys Island. According to The Guardian, Childers “displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness … ultimately paying the highest sacrifice with his life.”
The tragedy struck when a group of four to five swimmers got caught in a strong current and began screaming for help. Without hesitation, Childers and another man jumped into the water to assist. While all five swimmers and the second rescuer made it back to shore safely, Childers never resurfaced.
Emergency crews from the local police, fire department, and the U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a search effort. His body was discovered roughly 90 minutes later. CBS News reported that Childers entered the water around 4:45 p.m. near Pawleys Island, about 45 minutes south of Myrtle Beach.
Originally from Georgia, Childers was vacationing in South Carolina with his wife, Nataley, and their three children. Charleston’s WCBD television station confirmed the family had been enjoying their summer break at the time of the incident.
A GoFundMe page created to support the grieving family echoed the widespread sentiment: “Chase Childers displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness… In a heroic act, he saved a family of five in a moment of crisis in Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon, putting their lives above his own.”
Authorities also paid tribute to his bravery, stating: “His bravery, kindness and love will always be remembered.”
Childers played college baseball at Georgia State University and later signed with the Baltimore Orioles, spending two seasons with minor league teams in Florida and West Virginia. His heroic act took place on Sunday, July 13.