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An adult male and toddler drowned at a Florida beach, a good Samaritan who is now being called a hero for trying to save them remains missing.
On Friday, deputies were called out to the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve about a call regarding a man and a toddler who was taken away by a current while swimming, PEOPLE reported.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has not released their identities. However, they have identified Kristoff Murray, who has been labeled as a hero for jumping in the water in hopes of rescuing the two. Unfortunately, Murray was also caught in the current and remains missing.
A search continues for Murray.
The rescue team did recover the bodies of the unidentified man and toddler around 9 PM. They both were transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead, police confirmed.
“Our hearts break for the father and son who lost their lives tonight. The horrible sight led a selfless stranger to sacrifice his own life, in an attempt to save them,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “As we aggressively search these waters to try and locate this individual, we are urging everyone to remember that water safety is paramount.”
As for Murray, Chronister told Fox 13, “We’re certainly calling him now, not just a good Samaritan, but our Apollo Beach Hero.”
The chances of finding Murray alive are small, but the sheriff promised to continue a thorough search until he is found.
“The likelihood of this individual being alive is probably slim, but we’re going to give him every ounce of hope that we have,” Chronister added.
“It’s summertime in Florida. It’s hot. We all want to be in the water; we all want to cool off,” he added. “But please, when you have areas that are clearly marked no swimming, it’s for a reason. I’m asking every parent out there, don’t put an infant child near any type of moving or open body of water without a lifejacket on.”
