WASHINGTON D.C., DC — This Memorial Day weekend as people are heading to area beaches, a word of caution and a plea for help from DC mother who lost her son to a drowning accident in Virginia Beach.
12-year-old Zamari Wilson lost his life 4th of July weekend 2022 when he was swept up by currents at Virginia Beach. He was swimming on a stretch of the beach near Shore Drive. The nearby hotel was not required to have lifeguards. Just hours later, a 44-year-old man drowned about a mile from where Zamari lost his life.
His mother, Brenda Eason, is turning her pain into purpose and fighting to make lifeguards and other safety equipment mandatory at Virginia Beach. So far, almost 900 people have signed her petition.
“We're looking for thousands more signatures because we want to change the law to get lifeguards on the beach,” explained Eason, “They [hotel staff] told me to call 911 when my son was underwater. You know how long 911 takes to get to the scene and he's under water? I'm just shaking all over again. So just please be safe."
Eason says her son knew how to swim, but somehow the current created a sudden dip in the ocean floor and he lost his footing. There were no warning signs or lifeguards on the beach at the time. She said there are still no changes nearly two years after her son's death.
On the Change.Org petition, Eason wrote the following:
Lifeguard Requirement:
Lifeguards play a crucial role in preventing drowning incidents and providing immediate assistance during emergencies. By making lifeguards mandatory along beaches in Virginia, we can significantly reduce the number of tragic accidents that occur each year.
2. Warning Signs and Safety Precautions:
In addition to having lifeguards on duty, it is imperative that warning signs highlighting potential dangers such as strong currents or hazardous areas are prominently displayed along Virginia Beach.
By prioritizing beach safety through the presence of lifeguards and proper warning signs, we can ensure a positive experience for both residents and visitors.
RELATED: 'A young man with a bright future' | 12-year-old from DC drowns on Virginia Beach family vacation
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