Teen Dies After Hole He And Sister Dug On Beach Collapses

A 18-year-old has died after a hole he and his sister were digging on the beach collapsed in New Jersey.

Levi Caverly was digging a large hole with his 17-year-old sister at Toms River beach when they became trapped.

Although his sister was rescued at the scene, Levi died in the collapse.

The Toms River Police Department released a statement confirming the tragedy on Facebook: "On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at approximately 4:09 PM, multiple police and EMS units were dispatched to the beach entrance near Seaview Road on the barrier island for reports of two teens trapped in the sand.

"The family was visiting from out of town and spent the afternoon at the beach. The teens were reportedly digging a large hole when it collapsed and trapped both of them.

"Emergency crews from neighbouring towns also responded to the scene to assist in rescue efforts."

Footage shared on Twitter shows rescue workers clearing buckets of sand, in an effort to rescue the teens, however, Levi did not make it out alive.

The incident is currently under investigation.

This isn't the first sand collapse that's ended tragically as a separate but similar incident occurred in Utah last week.

As 13-year-old Ian Spendlove died after digging into a sand dune.

The teen was pronounced dead on Sunday, 15 May, a day after being rescued from the collapsed sand tunnel.

Utah state officials confirmed the incident that took place at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park via their website: "On May 14, 2022, just after 5:30 p.m., park rangers were alerted to an ongoing incident just outside the campground area. A teenager, 13-year-old Ian Spendlove of Santa Clara, Utah, had become trapped underneath the sand.

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"Park rangers believe he had been digging a tunnel in the side of a sand dune when it unexpectedly collapsed with him inside. 

"A family member who witnessed the collapse notified nearby visitors and state park staff who immediately began digging to locate Spendlove. A State Park law enforcement ranger and deputies with the Kane County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after with shovels to assist. 

"Spendlove was recovered at about 5:53 p.m. approximately 6-and-a-half-feet beneath the sand. First responders administered CPR until additional emergency personnel arrived.

"After confirming that Spendlove had a pulse, he was transported via Life Flight to St. George Regional Hospital and then to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. 

"Unfortunately, on Sunday, Spendlove had not regained brain activity and was declared dead. 

"The Utah Division of State Parks extends our condolences to Ian Spendlove’s friends and family impacted by this tragedy. The incident remains under investigation. "

The park then urged others to be safe among the sand this summer, saying: "Always recreate with a buddy, wear your life jackets and helmets, and always let somebody know where you are going and when to expect your return."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677