A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday at a beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, resulting in the death of a young girl and the hospitalization of a boy in critical condition.

Broward Sheriff’s deputies and paramedics rushed to the scene on El Mar Drive in the 4400 block after receiving a distress call at 3:16 p.m.

Chopper 6 footage depicted a sizable sand hole cordoned off, surrounded by concerned onlookers.

The hospitalized children, a 9-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl were initially reported in critical condition. Regrettably, the Broward Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the girl’s passing.

The deceased young girl was identified as Sloan Mattingly, while her older brother, Maddox Mattingly, remains in critical condition.

Contrary to an initial report stating Sloan’s age as five, investigators later verified she was seven.

Witnesses recounted that the children were engaged in playful digging activities when the ground unexpectedly gave way, NBC 6 Miami reported.

Desperation ensued as the sand hole, measuring approximately 5 to 6 feet in depth, trapped the youngsters.

Sandra King, a spokesperson for Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, described how onlookers, captured in cellphone videos, frantically dug into the hole with their hands in a bid to rescue the trapped children.

First responders, arriving within four minutes of the incident, were joined by paramedics and firefighters, as revealed in 911 calls released by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

Rescuers strategically employed support boards to prevent further collapse of the sand as they, along with compassionate bystanders, utilized shovels to excavate the children.

The duration of their entrapment remains unclear.

Written by B.C. Begley