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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former pro baseball player drowns in rip current while trying to save others
A former minor league baseball player and father drowned after getting caught in a rip current while trying to save a family in the water in South Carolina, according to police and a fundraiser for his family. Chase Childers, 38, went into the water off Pawleys Island, a barrier island in South Carolina, with another person the afternoon of July 13 to help four or five people who were in distress in the water, according to the Pawleys Island Police Department. Police responded to a report at about 4:45 p.m. and learned one person was missing in the water. Childers was recovered at about 6:15 p.m., police said. "He died trying to save others," the police department said. Childers was signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played at the rookie level for teams affiliated with the Orioles in 2009 and 2010, according to the MLB. He also served as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, according to a fundraiser for his family verified by GoFundMe. "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," the fundraiser said. "Tragically, after giving everything he had to save them, he was unable to stay above water as the rip tide swept him away, ultimately paying the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife." Childers was survived by his wife Nataley and three children, according to the fundraiser. More: Graphics show how rip currents endanger swimmers Rip currents, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from the shore, can drag a swimmer way out into the ocean and exhaust them trying to fight their way out. At least three dozen other people have died so far in 2025 in surf zone-related incidents, with the majority caught by rip currents, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 2010, more than 800 people have died in rip current drownings. Thousands of people are estimated to be rescued from rip currents annually. Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry said in a social media post that the town urges caution to swimmers entering the water and that the town council will investigate ways to prevent future tragedies. "The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," Henry said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chase Childers, former baseball player, drowns trying to save swimmers Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Pro Baseball Player Chase Childers Drowns After Jumping in Water to Save Swimmers Caught in Current
NEED TO KNOW Chase Childers drowned on Sunday, July 13, while trying to rescue swimmers in distress The incident happened on South Carolina's Pawleys Island The husband and father of three was a former professional baseball player who spent time in the Baltimore Orioles' farm systemA former professional baseball player drowned while attempting to rescue swimmers in distress in South Carolina, police said. On Tuesday, July 15, the Pawleys Island Police Department identified 38-year-old Chase Childers as the victim of a Sunday, July 13, incident that occurred while the husband and father of three was vacationing. 'We would like to provide additional information on Sunday's incident," the PIPD said via X. "The victim, Chase Childers, and another person entered the water to help 4-5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office said on Sunday that their deputies 'participated in the recovery of a body from the ocean today after a swimmer in distress was reported just after 5 p.m.' Bystanders were unsuccessful in their efforts to save him before first responders arrived. Childers was a former professional baseball player, spending 2009 and 2010 in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. After retiring from the sport, he worked as a Cobb County police officer and received a lifetime achievement award for saving lives, per a GoFundMe established to help his family. "We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Chase," GoFundMe organizer Jordan Wicker said. "It feels surreal, incredibly hard to grasp, and profoundly unfair.' The post contained a photo of Childers standing outdoors for a professional family photoshoot. 'Chase was a truly selfless individual, always prioritizing the safety of others above his own," his family said in a statement to WCDB. "Without hesitation, he would leap into action whenever someone was in need, ready to tackle any challenge that came his way. To his family and all who knew him, he will forever be remembered as a hero.' Law enforcement officials said this has been the fifth drowning on Pawleys Island since June 2023 and the second in the past month, the news station reported. 'The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry said in a statement on Monday, July 14. Henry also thanked the local first responders 'who worked tirelessly to recover the victim and bring comfort to the family.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The mayor urged residents and visitors to use caution when entering the water, 'particularly during high surf,' and asked for everyone's help in keeping Pawleys Island one of 'the safest' beaches on the East Coast. 'We regret the recent drownings and Town Council will investigate all means available to mitigate the risk of future occurrences, including efforts to educate visitors on the dangers of rip currents,' the mayor concluded. Childers is survived by his wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers, as well as their three children. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Pro Baseball Player Chase Childers Drowns After Jumping in Water to Save Swimmers Caught in Current
NEED TO KNOW Chase Childers drowned on Sunday, July 13, while trying to rescue swimmers in distress The incident happened on South Carolina's Pawleys Island The husband and father of three was a former professional baseball player who spent time in the Baltimore Orioles' farm systemA former professional baseball player drowned while attempting to rescue swimmers in distress in South Carolina, police said. On Tuesday, July 15, the Pawleys Island Police Department identified 38-year-old Chase Childers as the victim of a Sunday, July 13, incident that occurred while the husband and father of three was vacationing. 'We would like to provide additional information on Sunday's incident," the PIPD said via X. "The victim, Chase Childers, and another person entered the water to help 4-5 individuals who were in distress. Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught in the rip current, as well. He died trying to save others.' The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office said on Sunday that their deputies 'participated in the recovery of a body from the ocean today after a swimmer in distress was reported just after 5 p.m.' Bystanders were unsuccessful in their efforts to save him before first responders arrived. Childers was a former professional baseball player, spending 2009 and 2010 in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. After retiring from the sport, he worked as a Cobb County police officer and received a lifetime achievement award for saving lives, per a GoFundMe established to help his family. "We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Chase," GoFundMe organizer Jordan Wicker said. "It feels surreal, incredibly hard to grasp, and profoundly unfair.' The post contained a photo of Childers standing outdoors for a professional family photoshoot. 'Chase was a truly selfless individual, always prioritizing the safety of others above his own," his family said in a statement to WCDB. "Without hesitation, he would leap into action whenever someone was in need, ready to tackle any challenge that came his way. To his family and all who knew him, he will forever be remembered as a hero.' Law enforcement officials said this has been the fifth drowning on Pawleys Island since June 2023 and the second in the past month, the news station reported. 'The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry said in a statement on Monday, July 14. Henry also thanked the local first responders 'who worked tirelessly to recover the victim and bring comfort to the family.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The mayor urged residents and visitors to use caution when entering the water, 'particularly during high surf,' and asked for everyone's help in keeping Pawleys Island one of 'the safest' beaches on the East Coast. 'We regret the recent drownings and Town Council will investigate all means available to mitigate the risk of future occurrences, including efforts to educate visitors on the dangers of rip currents,' the mayor concluded. Childers is survived by his wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers, as well as their three children. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Former pro baseball player's heroic final act before he drowned in freak rip tide in front of his family
A former professional baseball player died a hero when he drowned off the South Carolina coast over the weekend. Anderson 'Chase' Childers, 38, who played second basemen and shortstop for a Baltimore Orioles farm team, was on vacation on Pawleys Island with his wife, Nataley, and their three children on Sunday when he selflessly jumped in the water to save swimmers caught in a rip current, WCBD reports. His family explained that a woman had approached him on the beach, asking for help saving the family of five, and he ran into the water without hesitation. 'His first responder instincts kicked in and he went to the water to save people,' Pawleys Island Chief of Police Michael Fanning said of Childers, who also worked as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia. But when Nataley saw the family of five and another man who had helped them come back to shore without her husband at around 4.45 pm, she alerted the authorities, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. Midway Fire Rescue was then dispatched, and soon Pawleys Island Police and the Coast Guard joined the search for the father-of-three, ultimately recovering his body about 90 minutes later. 'It feels surreal, incredibly hard to grasp and profoundly unfair,' Childers' family said in a statement to WSB-TV. 'Chase was a truly selfless individual, always prioritizing the safety of others above his own,' they continued. 'Without hesitation, he would leap into action whenever someone was in need, ready to tackle any challenge that came his way. 'To his family and all who knew him, he will forever be remembered as a hero.' But this was not the first time Childers was recognized for saving lives, as he previously received the Cobb County Police Department Life Saving Award in 2012, when he was working as a police officer. 'His bravery, kindness and love will always be remembered,' reads an online fundraiser to benefit his wife and their children. The fundraiser - which had raised nearly $54,000 as of Wednesday - describes Childers as 'a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers.' Many also shared their fond memories of the Georgia man, who played baseball for Georgia State University before becoming a professional in 2009. 'Chase was one of the funniest people I've ever met. He had an incredible sense of humor and was the most talented baseball player I ever had the privilege of playing infield with,' one friend wrote. The Oregon Park Baseball Association further said Childers 'was one of our own, a respected, well-loved coach and a pillar of our community. 'If you had the privilege of knowing Chase, you knew he was a great man, selfless, courageous and deeply devoted to his family,' the organization wrote on Facebook. Childers' death marks the fifth drowning on Pawleys Island since June 2023, and the second in the past month, WCBD reports. Police on the island now say they are taking more precautions to prevent any future drownings. 'We're working to educate the people who rent here, the people who visit here. We're getting magnets for all the houses to explain rip currents and how to deal with it,' Police Chief Fanning explained. 'We're going to put up extra signage in the areas that are prone to these rip currents,' he added, noting that there are already 'life rings at all beach accesses, but I think we need to increase life rings in certain areas that are hazard-prone.' If you do get caught in a rip current, authorities advise you 'don't panic, swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the current. Then make your way back in.'
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Fox News
Georgia police officers break into car parked outside mall with two children sweltering inside: video
Two young children in Georgia were rescued from a hot car in a mall parking lot last month thanks to bystanders who called 911 after hearing crying. The Cobb County Police Department released bodycam footage of the rescue, which took place on June 4, on Monday. Officers arrived at Cumberland Mall after a woman called 911 at around 1 p.m. to report a little boy and a little girl trapped inside a hot car in the parking lot outside Dick's Sporting Goods. Cobb County police released her 911 call, in which she can be heard saying that the children were very young, and inside the car alone and crying. "The windows are cracked, but I don't think that's right. We just came out of Dick's and I heard kids crying," she told the dispatcher. Officers arrived quickly, unlocked the car after shattering the driver's window and pulled the children out. Both were in the back seat and neither one of them was restrained properly. J'quawn Dixon was arrested once he came back outside and police have charged him with two felony counts of second-degree child cruelty. It's not clear if he is the father of both children. Police said Dixon caused "cruel or excessive physical or mental pain" to children under 18 by leaving them inside a vehicle without air conditioning for 41 minutes, according to the arrest warrant obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. It was discovered that Dixon went into the mall at 12:24 p.m., according to bodycam footage. Officers said they arrived at the mall at 1:03 p.m., shortly after the 911 call was made. The high that day was 87 degrees, police said, and an infrared thermometer they used showed that the temperature inside the car reached up to 117 degrees. "A big THANK YOU to the concerned citizens who called 911. Your quick action is the reason these kids are safe today," Cobb County police wrote on Facebook. "You saw something and did something, and that made all the difference." Dixon was booked into the Cobb County Jail that day on $10,000 bond. He posted it the next day and was released, FOX 5 reported.
