Derrick Moore, a 47-year-old African American man from Georgia, drowned after entering the ocean to rescue a young girl caught in a rip current. He was pulled underwater while trying to reach her and was found dead the following morning.
The girl became trapped in the rip current around 5:30 p.m. Friday near 4th Avenue South. Lifeguards had already left for the day when Moore saw what was happening. He entered the water to help, even though he did not know the child.
The current pulled Moore away, prompting a search for him. Myrtle Beach police and fire crews continued the search with help from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorities found Moore’s body Saturday morning near 11th Avenue South. Officials had not released information about the girl’s condition or whereabouts, according to WMBF News.
Moore worked as a physical education and health teacher at an elementary school in Georgia. He also coached football, and his coworkers remembered him as someone who was always willing to help others.
Sherry Weeks, a coworker whose classroom was across from Moore’s, said his loss has deeply affected the school community. She described him as a well-liked teacher who greeted people each day and made an effort to help those around him.
“He was just an amazing, amazing man,” Weeks said. “I just cannot– I’m trying to get myself together to go to work because he was the first person you saw.”
Moore’s daughter also remembered him as a loving father. “We loved him and are truly heartbroken that he’s gone,” she said in a statement. “He was a great father, and we are all going to miss him.”
Authorities continued working to determine what happened to the young girl after Moore entered the water to save her.
SOURCE: blacknews.com