Father dies while trying to save his 2 children from drowning on Father's day

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 A father who was spending Father’s Day with his two daughters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, di£d after trying to save them from drowning, authorities said. 

On Sunday, June 15, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received 911 calls around 7:20 p.m. local time reporting that there was a drowning at a Fort Lauderdale beach near the B Ocean Resort. 

Although the ocean rescue team went off duty at 7 p.m., officials rushed to the scene once they were aware of the situation. 

“They were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,” Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Daniel Moran said, according to NBC affiliate WFLA. 

Antwon Wilson, 33, "went into the water after two of his children appeared to be in distress," a Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman tells PEOPLE. 

His daughter was "struggling in the water," the spokeswoman says. 

Another man, Eslam Saad, also went into the ocean to help the children but became "overwhelmed" and was pulled underwater before he was able to self-rescue, CBS News Miami reports.  

"Both children were ultimately rescued. One of his children was transported along with the Good Samaritan. Both were awake and responsive at last check," the police spokeswoman says. 

Saad, the good Samaritan, told Fox affiliate WSVN: “I didn’t think about anything. I didn’t even tell my wife I’m going in the water again. I just jumped into the water." 

"I just tried to swim, I just tried to get out with her [Wilson's child]. I think I did my best to get her closer to offshore,” he said. 

"When I got close to her, I told her, ‘Please, I know you are in panic. Please, do not do anything crazy, I will try my best to get you out,' ” Saad told the outlet.
He brought her closer to shore, and then the lifeguards took over. 

Wilson did not resurface after going underwater, where he was found a few minutes later, police said. 

He was taken to shore, and paramedics performed lifesaving measures. 

Wilson, one of his daughters and Saad were all transported to Broward Health Medical Center. He was pronounced de@d at the hospital. 

“Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I’m okay, I was trying to ask about them, they told me her dad was already gone,” Saad told WSVN. 

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is investigating his de@th. 

"It appears to be an accidental drowning at this time," the spokeswoman says.