MYRTLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: A Georgia college student "died a hero" after he saved his girlfriend's sister from drowning during a vacation at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Daniel Rowe was with his girlfriend's family on June 20 when he was pulled from the ocean.
After he rescued his girlfriend's 14-year-old sister to shore, the 18-year-old teenager drowned from exhaustion. "Everyone else is ok, but he died a hero. It's just been difficult, there are a lot of rough days," said Rowe's cousin Nashonie Chang, reported Fox News.
Who was Daniel Rowe?
Daniel Rowe, who is from Georgia, recently finished his freshman year at Kennesaw State University. The drowning took place when he was on a summer break. Talking to Fox 5 Atlanta, Chang said, "God is definitely a God that's a good God. We will never understand why, but we're just so thankful that we had 18 years with him." He described Rowe as someone who is always willing to help others and said he was a "sweet, compassionate, caring, loving" person.
Following the incident, the college student was pronounced brain dead after he suffered traumatic brain injuries. On July 3, Rowe died after succumbing to his injuries, and his death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Rowe is among many victims from Georgia who died in rip currents this year
According to the media outlet, Rowe died after he was caught in a rip current and he is at least the fifth victim from Georgia this year. As per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, several of these persons died during their attempt to save others in rip currents.
When lifeguards arrived to rescue the group, they found Rowe and the rest of the group on the verge of physical exhaustion. On the GoFundMe page, Rowe's girlfriend Kamanny George wrote that paramedics who arrived at the scene were able to revive and restore Rowe's pulse.
"The fear in everyone's voices was overwhelming as we struggled to stay afloat and ensure the safety of the younger members of our group," she wrote. George said Rowe "fought against the relentless waters" to save her sister and added, "Tragically, despite his courageous efforts, Daniel succumbed to exhaustion and drowned, losing consciousness in the process."
After his death, his body was returned to Georgia. His family expressed their gratitude for the support they have received in South Carolina and Georgia. "It's been quite a lot, and of course for the family, it's emotionally taxing, but having people there to just encourage and just be there for us in such a time as this is really meaningful," said Chang.
