Anderson Chase Childers

Anderson Chase Childers died attempting to save undetermined individuals from drowning, Pawleys Island, South Carolina, July 13, 2025. Caught in a longshore current and a strong rip current in the Atlantic Ocean, several swimmers were stranded in the crosscurrent about 150 feet from the beach and bystanders overheard calls for help. No lifeguards were stationed near the beach, where Childers, 38, contractor, was with his wife and three young children. Once he became aware, Childers immediately responded and ran into the ocean, swimming out and, ultimately, reaching a point beyond some people in the crosscurrent. Police concluded that Childers might have perceived another person was in danger. Another man, who reacted to Childers’ urgency, also left the beach and swam out, later reaching Childers, who then was unresponsive. The man attempted to tow Childers, but they separated in rough surf. All of the struggling swimmers safely returned to shore, as did the man who had reached Childers. Police, firefighters, and the Coast Guard then searched for Childers, who later was found after he drifted a considerable distance from where he was last seen. He had drowned.