A teenager has died after sand collapsed on him from a hole he was digging on a beach.
The 18-year-old's sister was also trapped by the fall on the Jersey Shore, in Ocean County, New Jersey, in the US.
The tragedy struck on Tuesday afternoon, as Levi Caverly was digging a hole with his 17-year-old sister at Toms River’s Ocean Beach 3, a private beach near Chadwick Beach, reported Toms River police.
The hole, which officials said was deeply dug with Frisbees, collapsed on the pair just after 4pm, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The New York Post said Mr Caverly was crushed to death and it took first responders more than two-and-a-half hours to pull him out of the sand. His sister was rescued and received medical attention at the scene, police said.
Levi’s father, Todd Caverly, paid tribute to his son on Facebook, said: “The sun still rises. Your world can be forever changed in a second, with no warning, and no second chance. Do not neglect your salvation.
“Thank you all for praying. Please don’t stop,” he added. “Levi Caverly, there are not (sic) words to express my love for you.”
The tragedy unfolded shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, when multiple police and emergency units were dispatched to the beach entrance near Seaview Road for reports of two teenagers trapped in the sand.
Angela Caverley, the teenager's mother, said that her family was due to drive back to Maine on Wednesday afternoon to be closer to their church congregation.
"Physically, my daughter is OK. She's helping drive us home right now," she said.
She said the family had rented a house in Toms River to enjoy a beach vacation, and had spent most of Tuesday afternoon on the shore before the fatal accident.
