MAY 25, 2015
SULLIVANS ISLAND, SC
23-year-old Santos Castillo of Hanahan died from drowning at
Sullivan's Island on Monday.
According to a release from the town, two people were in distress in that water. One was Castillo, who was unresponsive when he was pulled ashore. The other was a man who is described as swallowing a "considerable quantity of water" and was extremely exhausted.
The beach was packed on Memorial Day and as soon as onlookers realized the two men were in trouble, they frantically called 911 for help.
During one of the 911 calls, the caller says, "They're in the water, Sullivan's Island. Just get out here at Sullivan's Island."
The operator says, "Okay, ma'am, I want to make sure I'm sending responders to the right area, okay?"
The caller says, "Okay, I'll say it again, 24 Sullivan's Island."
The operator says, "What are they doing in the water?"
The caller says, "People have been waving their arms, yelling for somebody to come help."
News 2 spoke to one man today who wished to remain anonymous. He says he was one of the people wading into the water to help with the rescues. He told us the area where Castillo went under was about waist deep, and said it seemed as though Castillo was not a strong swimmer. He said he was impressed with the response time of the rescue team, and they seemed well-prepared for handling the situation. He said it was a sad ending, and planned to go down to the beach today to say a prayer for Castillo and his family.
News 2 spoke to Sullivan's Island Mayor Pat O'Neil. He says this incident is a tragedy the town of Sullivan's Island worries about every beach season. He asks beachgoers to remember the ocean can be dangerous, and the Lowcountry beaches frequently have strong rip currents. Sullivan's Island does not have lifeguards on duty, so O'Neil says swimmers should use the buddy system and be careful.
According to a release from the town, two people were in distress in that water. One was Castillo, who was unresponsive when he was pulled ashore. The other was a man who is described as swallowing a "considerable quantity of water" and was extremely exhausted.
The beach was packed on Memorial Day and as soon as onlookers realized the two men were in trouble, they frantically called 911 for help.
During one of the 911 calls, the caller says, "They're in the water, Sullivan's Island. Just get out here at Sullivan's Island."
The operator says, "Okay, ma'am, I want to make sure I'm sending responders to the right area, okay?"
The caller says, "Okay, I'll say it again, 24 Sullivan's Island."
The operator says, "What are they doing in the water?"
The caller says, "People have been waving their arms, yelling for somebody to come help."
News 2 spoke to one man today who wished to remain anonymous. He says he was one of the people wading into the water to help with the rescues. He told us the area where Castillo went under was about waist deep, and said it seemed as though Castillo was not a strong swimmer. He said he was impressed with the response time of the rescue team, and they seemed well-prepared for handling the situation. He said it was a sad ending, and planned to go down to the beach today to say a prayer for Castillo and his family.
News 2 spoke to Sullivan's Island Mayor Pat O'Neil. He says this incident is a tragedy the town of Sullivan's Island worries about every beach season. He asks beachgoers to remember the ocean can be dangerous, and the Lowcountry beaches frequently have strong rip currents. Sullivan's Island does not have lifeguards on duty, so O'Neil says swimmers should use the buddy system and be careful.