NOKOMIS, Fla. – What was meant to be a delightful day at the beach turned tragic when two teenage girls were hospitalized after being run over by a lifeguard vehicle at Nokomis Beach.
The girls’ recovery is expected to be lengthy, prompting their families to seek legal representation. Their attorney emphasized the importance of preventing such incidents in the future.
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The backstory:
The event unfolded on April 18 around 4:45 p.m. at Nokomis Beach, where a simple outing escalated into chaos.
Witness Gay Johnson, a frequent visitor to the beach, recounted the moment she saw emergency vehicles converging on the scene and the teens on the ground. “The lifeguard was standing there sobbing, while someone comforted him,” she noted, mentioning the overwhelming presence of emergency responders that obscured the view of the injured.
According to a report from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the lifeguard was operating an F-150 as he left the beach over a berm, intending to enter a closed-off parking area. Lifeguards often use pickup trucks due to the lack of assigned ATVs for that beach.
The lifeguard claimed he was standing for better visibility but had a restricted view because of the truck’s hood. As he drove slowly over the berm, he felt two bumps and discovered he had run over the two girls, who were lying at an angle in the sand.
He quickly began providing aid and called for assistance.
Witness Johnson expressed empathy, saying, “I feel horrible for those little girls. I’m sure they were devastated as well as their parents. Accidents happen.”
One girl was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, suffering from multiple complaints, while the other was airlifted to All Children’s Hospital. The latter reported hearing the truck but mistook its source as the parking lot.
The teen’s mother revealed her child had a broken pelvis and was undergoing tests to evaluate lung and liver function.
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Local perspective:
One witness told authorities that she noticed the truck moving at a slow speed but didn’t realize the girls were in front until she heard their screams post-impact. She mentioned that even with her angle, the lifeguard wouldn’t have seen them.
What they’re saying:
Trial attorney Ryan Sainz, representing the families, indicated the psychological impact on the teens has been significant. “They didn’t plan on a series of doctor visits after going to the beach,” he noted, reinforcing the need for answers about the incident.
Sainz is committed to investigating potential preventive measures that could have mitigated this unfortunate event.
The families issued a joint statement through their attorney: “We are very shaken and disturbed by what happened to our daughters. We can’t believe our children were run over on the beach. We are seeking answers and want to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
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The other side:
Sarasota County officials commented: “Due to the possibility of litigation, we are unable to speak further at this time.”
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Key Information
- Location: Nokomis Beach, Sarasota County, FL
- Date of Incident: April 18, 4:45 PM
- Victims: Two teenage girls, ages 14 and 15
- Injuries: One girl suffered a broken pelvis; both girls hospitalized
- Legal Action: Families have hired attorney Ryan Sainz from Morgan & Morgan
- Sarasota County’s Response: No comments due to potential litigation
Article original publish date: 2025-04-28 07:00:00
Article source: www.fox13news.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.fox13news.com
