18-year-old dies after saving girlfriend’s sister from rip current, Georgia family says
_fitted.png "Daniel “Danny” Rowe, 18, had just finished his freshman year at Kennesaw State University, family members said.")
An 18-year-old who died after he was pulled from the ocean drowned saving his girlfriend’s younger sister, his family says.
Daniel Rowe died July 3 after he was pulled from the ocean June 20 in Myrtle Beach, the Horry County Coroner’s Office said. His death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Family members and loved ones said Rowe — who is from Acworth, Georgia — was on vacation with his girlfriend’s family at the time of the incident.
“He was rescuing his [girlfriend’s] little sister and got caught by a wave,” Nashonie Chang wrote in a July 4 Facebook post. “He was drowning and by the time life guards and paramedics got him to the hospital he [had] sustained substantial brain injuries.”
Rowe was taken off life support after he was declared brain dead on July 3, according to Chang. He was 60 days from his 19th birthday.
“Shattered and broken we headed back to Georgia without our baby boy,” Chang wrote in her post. “Danny was a sweetheart and will be missed by all his friends and family that love him dearly.”
Rowe was an avid athlete who enjoyed sports including baseball, basketball, swimming, karate, gymnastics and soccer, according to his obituary. He had just finished his freshman year at Kennesaw State University, where he was a marketing major.
“He enjoyed spending time with his many friends and was well loved by friends and family alike. He had a very special bond with both his older brother and younger sister,” his obituary said.
He was also involved with his church, where he served as an usher, according to his obituary.
“Son I am broken without you,” Rowe’s mother wrote in a Facebook post.
Other people shared tributes for Rowe.
“Daniel was selfless and kind hearted as long as I’ve known him. I remember when I was little and adults would tell me playing in my dress after church wasn’t lady like, but Daniel would roll his eyes and pass me the ball anyways,” one person posted on Rowe’s obituary website. “Daniel was my oldest friend, and the closest thing I had to an older brother. Even if it was months since we last spoke Daniel was always someone I could talk to.”
“He always had a smile on his face and had a positive spirit,” one person commented on a GoFundMe for Rowe’s family. “Heaven has gained another angel. We will be praying for his family and loved ones.”
Acworth is about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 12:26 PM with the headline "18-year-old dies after saving girlfriend’s sister from rip current, Georgia family says."
