Mark Bryson

Mark Bryson died attempting to rescue Roland P. Bryson, Miah L. Gonzalez, and Andrea L. Rogers from drowning, Daytona Beach, Florida, June 2, 2023. Roland and Miah, both 11, and Miah’s mother, Rogers, 41, were in shallow water in the Atlantic Ocean about 20 feet from shore when the sand beneath their feet gave way, and a strong rip current pulled them farther from shore. Roland’s father, Bryson, 42, construction worker, was on the beach nearby and heard them shout for help. Bryson immediately ran to the shoreline and swam to reach Roland, Miah, and Rogers, who, remaining together, were then pulled to a point about 300 feet from shore. Rogers indicated that she held Roland and Miah by their wrists as Bryson approached, and she pushed them both to him. Moments later, Roland again grasped Rogers’ wrist, and she no longer saw Bryson or Miah. At some point, Bryson had submerged, and Miah let the rip current take her as she was pushed out of the rip current toward shore. Roland, too, escaped the rip current and was pushed toward shore. Rogers, at some point, lost consciousness and, upon waking, was in shallow water, where others pulled her to safety. Another man in the party was nearby and had heard screams for help and, with a surfboard, swam out to reach Bryson, who was facedown in the water. The man positioned Bryson on the board and, with difficulty, swam toward shore, reaching a sandbar. Lifeguards responded and took Bryson from him, and they took Bryson to the beach. Rogers ingested water and was treated at the hospital. She was detained to have her heart monitored and was released after five days. She recovered. Roland also ingested water and was checked by paramedics at the scene and at the hospital, but did not require further treatment. He recovered. Miah was uninjured. Attempts to revive Bryson were unsuccessful. He had drowned.

2023-0000004-10553