A 5-year-old drowned Saturday morning just north of Seaside Park in Fernandina Beach, according to the Fernandina Observer.

According to the Observer, just before noon, Fernandina Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguards were flagged down by beachgoers reporting a child in distress in the ocean just north of Seaside Park.

The 5-year-old had been pulled from the water by bystanders before the lifeguards arrived.

Within moments, lifeguards responded, and lifesaving measures were initiated.

The fire department also responded.

The child was then transported from the beach and transferred to a waiting rescue unit staged in the parking lot of Seaside Park to continue with the resuscitation efforts.

Despite the efforts of beachgoers, first responders and medical staff, the child later went into cardia

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