Tragedy struck off the coast of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, on Sunday. When former MLB player Chase Childers lost his life while attempting to rescue a group of swimmers caught in a powerful rip current. Childers, a former Baltimore Orioles draftee and father of three, heroically entered the water around 4:45 p.m. to assist four to five swimmers in distress.
According to the Pawleys Island Police Department, Childers entered the ocean alongside another individual. While the others were eventually accounted for, Childers was the only one still missing when emergency crews arrived. His body was recovered at approximately 6:15 p.m. following a search involving police, firefighters, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“He died trying to save others,” police said in a heartbreaking statement that captured the selflessness of Childers’ final moments.
From MLB to Law Enforcement: A Life of Service
Chase Childers was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and played in the minor leagues before retiring from baseball. He later served as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, further continuing a life rooted in public service. A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to support his wife and three children in the wake of this unimaginable loss.
Rip currents are a leading cause of drowning along U.S. coasts, capable of moving at speeds up to 8 feet per second, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The National Weather Service warns these hidden hazards are especially dangerous in areas like North and South Carolina, where they are the deadliest natural threat to swimmers.
Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry acknowledged the tragedy and expressed condolences. “The town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend,” he wrote. The town council is now reviewing measures to enhance public awareness and prevent future drownings. Which includes educating tourists about the dangers of rip currents.
“While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the East Coast,” Henry added, “we would like them to be known as the safest as well.”
Chase Childers’ final act was one of pure bravery. His death is not just a loss for the baseball community, but a sobering reminder of the dangers nature can pose. And the incredible courage it takes to face them.
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