Tragedy as teen drowns rescuing four children – his family reveals his legacy
Remembering Bryce Brooks: A Teen Who Gave His Life to Save Others
Sixteen-year-old Bryce Brooks of Atlanta was on vacation with his family in Pensacola when tragedy struck. While on the beach, Bryce and friends noticed four younger children being swept away by a powerful rip current. Without hesitation, Bryce and two others rushed into the water to help, while others ran to alert nearby adults.
A Heroic Act
According to his father, Shivy Brooks, Bryce shouted for help — not for himself, but for the children he was trying to save. In the struggle against the current, he was pulled under. Family friend Charles “Uncle Chuck” Johnson II dove in to rescue him, but was also overcome by the water.
Both were eventually pulled from the surf and airlifted to a hospital, but despite desperate efforts, they did not survive.
PERDIDO KEY, Fla. (WEAR) — An Atlanta family is mourning their son and calling him a hero after he lost his life trying to save other young people from drowning.
Bryce Brooks, 16, was killed last Thursday at a beach in the Florida panhandle.
Crystal and Alfred “Shivy” Brooks described him as a protector, the kind of kid who would never let someone walk home alone.
They say Bryce died after saving four younger children he didn’t know, whowere pulled away by rip currents.
As tragic as this situation is, it’s not one where we can look at it as a senseless tragedy,” Shivy Brooks said. “Our son saved the lives of kids he did not even know.
To make matters worse, Bryce’s parents said their family friend Chuck went into the water to try to save him — and Chuck later died as well.
Escambia Fire Rescue responds to water rescues in the area and said a crew got to the scene in six minutes, unfortunately not fast enough.
When you don’t get air in the lungs of a person within three minutes, you will lose them,” Shivy Brooks said. “And if you have a system set up where you know your response time is six minutes, then you are not doing right by people who come to Florida.
Also, there are no lifeguards at the section of the beach, called Johnson Beach, where the tragedies happened.
Escambia County officials told WEAR they’re going to put up signs that say lifeguards aren’t present, but they can’t place lifeguards there because much of the beach is private property.
Plus, they’re going to add more flag poles at public access points for people to see the rip current risk. The tragedies happened on a yellow flag day, meaning there was a moderate risk of rip currents.
Authorities have not released information on the conditions of the kids who Bryce saved, other than saying three people were flown to the hospital in critical condition and a fourth was taken in serious condition.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes rip currents as powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water.
It estimates tens of thousands of people are rescued from them, but they kill about 100 people annually.
They warn, if caught in a rip current, don’t fight it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore and then back to land at an angle.
Community in Mourning
At Maynard Jackson High School, classmates honored Bryce with a balloon release, remembering him as a young man of kindness and promise. His mother, Crystal Brooks, said that in saving others, Bryce “stepped into manhood,” expressing deep pride even in the midst of unbearable grief.
Bryce was an honor roll student, a music lover, a member of his school’s fashion club, and a devoted big brother. The Brooks family had even appeared on Netflix’s Instant Dream Home, where their home was secretly renovated.
A Lasting Legacy
Support for the family poured in. The education initiative Get Your Teach On launched a fundraiser that collected more than $78,000, praising Bryce’s bravery and noting that his actions helped save multiple lives.
In his memory, the family established the Bryce Brooks Foundation, dedicated to drowning prevention and water safety. The foundation provides free swimming lessons and scholarships for lifeguard certification, empowering young people to protect themselves and others.
Recently, the foundation awarded its first six scholarships — including one to Uncle Chuck’s son — ensuring that Bryce’s courage lives on through opportunities for others.
A Life That Continues to Inspire
Though his life was cut tragically short, Bryce’s heroism continues to ripple outward. His sacrifice serves as both a sobering reminder of the dangers of rip currents and a shining example of selfless courage.