A former Baltimore Orioles professional baseball player and police officer lost his life Sunday after he tried to rescue a family of five from a dangerous rip current at a South Carolina beach, local police said.
Chase Childers died heroically after entering the water near Shell Road Ocean at Pawleys Island beach around 4:45 p.m. to help the family, according to the Pawleys Island Police Department.
Police said Childers and another individual responded after seeing the group of people struggling in the water.
First responders, including the Midway Fire Rescue and Pawleys Island Police Department, immediately began to search for Childers after he went missing. The U.S. Coast Guard arrived to provide additional help, and after a 90-minute search, rescue teams recovered Childers' body at around 6:15 p.m.
The tragedy occurred in front of Childers' wife, Nataley, and their three children, who witnessed their father's final act of courage.
The fundraiser has raised $135,000 of a $150,000 goal with over 1,000 donations. It aims to support Nataley and the couple's three children as they navigate life without their father and husband.
Childers had previously played professional baseball with the Baltimore Orioles organization and later served as a police officer in Cobb County, where he received a lifetime achievement award for saving several lives during his law enforcement career, family said on his GoFundMe page.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Childers was described as a multifaceted individual with diverse talents. He was recognized as a skilled fisherman and builder who could construct anything he envisioned. However, his most treasured roles were those closest to home.
"Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife," the GoFundMe campaign said. "As a devoted husband and father, he displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness."
"The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members," Henry said.
Henry emphasized the town's commitment to improving beach safety measures while recognizing the efforts of emergency responders.
"We would like to acknowledge the efforts of our first responders who worked tirelessly to recover the victim and bring comfort to the family," he said. "While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the entire East Coast, we would like them to be known as the safest as well."
The mayor said that the Town Council would investigate all available means to reduce the risk of future incidents, including enhanced education about rip current dangers for beach visitors.
The currents typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near coastal structures, according to NOAA. While often narrow, they can extend hundreds of yards wide and pull swimmers offshore at speeds of one to two feet per second, with some reaching up to eight feet per second—faster than Olympic swimmers can move.
"Rip currents are often referred to as drowning machines by lifeguards and are the leading cause of rescues for people in the surf," according to NOAA information. "They are particularly dangerous for weak or non-swimmers, but a strong rip current is a hazard for even experienced swimmers."
"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," the memorial fund said. "His bravery, kindness, and love will always be remembered."