Best friends aged 16 lost at SEA after going paddleboarding

Two 16-year-old girls beat impossible odds after being swept miles into the ocean on a paddleboard - surviving 16 freezing, wave-pummeling hours in the pitch-black waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
'Only an intervention from the Good Lord above could have saved those girls,' Lieutenant Scott Tummond of the Levy County Sheriff's Office, said, still in disbelief over the teen duo's miraculous survival.
Best friends Avery Bryan and Eva Aponte set out for what was supposed to be a short, half-mile paddleboarding trip from Atsena Otie Key to Cedar Key on March 17 - but powerful winds and a ripping current had other plans.
'It was low-tide and the water looked pretty nice and we decided it was a great time to go to the sandbar because we could see it,' Avery told Inside Edition, recounting their near-death experience.
'We walked in like hip-deep and got in and started paddling,' Eva said, adding, 'the current was very strong.'
Within minutes, the girls were ripped from the coastline and dragged more than 14 nautical miles out to sea, clinging to a single inflatable paddleboard - and neither wearing a life jacket.
'It was rough, I mean rough out there,' Tummond told Today.com.
'We're talking 6-foot seas with gusting winds. And really cold. Water temperatures got down to the high 30s overnight.'
As the sun set and the cold crept in, the girls huddled together, trying to stay afloat.
'One-hundred percent our lives were in danger,' Avery said.
'We were both out there in 40 degree weather with sweatshirts on and shorts on the water. Throughout the night, both of us had trouble keeping out hearts beating. I had [Eva] on top of me and at that point our breathing had synced up, it was very slow.'
To keep themselves 'sane,' the pair sang songs from popular children's movies, cracked jokes and even played an alphabet game naming animals to keep their spirits from sinking along with them.
'We had to keep laughing, or we were going to lose it,' Bryan said at a press conference 10 days after their heroic rescue.
The two girls told Inside Edition that they saw helicopters flying overhead during their time lost at sea, however even as the best friends were yelling for help, the helicopters 'flew over four times.'
Rescuers reportedly had to carry the girls from their location (pictured) in the shallow marsh to the rescue boat as they were 'too weak' to stand
'We were yelling and we were trying to wave our arms out to the sides and we picked up the paddle and we just started waving it around,' Eva said.
Their parents later alerted police and the coast guard to their missing children prompting a full-scale search.
The girls, smart and resourceful, clung to the paddleboard and later wrung out their wet clothes to stay warm after washing up in a shallow marsh - an area filled with razor-sharp oyster beds.
'That's the reason they are alive,' Gary Bartell, the marina owner who rushed to the scene, said.
Bartell boarded his airboat after local fishermen Will Pauling, Alex Jefferies and Russell Coon, who were part of the widespread search efforts, spotted the girls frantically waving for help just after 10 am on March 18.
The rescuers reportedly had to carry the girls from their location in the shallow marsh to the rescue boat as they were 'too weak' to stand.
When Bartell asked them what happened, the girls were initially quiet - until he started joking with them.
'That's when they really started to relax,' he said.
He later snapped a heartwarming photo of the girls, arms around each other, smiling through exhaustion as they returned to shore. An emotional reunion followed.
'The emotions were just flooding that boat ramp from everyone,' Bartell said.
'There was one little girl in particular, who shot through the crowd and ran up...and she just gave me the biggest hug that I've ever gotten in my entire life. At that point, we both had tears in our eyes.'
'It was an emotional return,' he continued. 'You could just feel the joy in every single person's heart.'
Avery and Eva were taken to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia and dehydration. By March 20, they were back home.
'These girls were smart,' Tummond said, noting that every decision the girls made while they were at sea '100 percent increased their chances at survival.'
'What Mom and Dad taught them stuck. Every decision they made saved their lives.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

a day ago

• The Sun

Club World Cup clash suspended with delay of over an hour expected as ‘lightning is on the way'

BENFICA's Club world Cup clash with Auckland City has suffered a huge hold-up - as fans run for cover from predicted lightning. Organisers warned there could be a delay of more than an hour - with the Portuguese giants 1-0 up on the brink of half-time. One warning predicted "excessive lightning2 in the area of the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. 1

Daily Mail​

4 days ago

• Daily Mail​

Florida's already fragile condo market faces devastating final blow

Florida 's already faltering condo market is about to get hit again — quite literally —with hurricane season headed the state's way. As hurricane season ramps up, forecasters are warning of an 'above normal' number of storms — threatening to push an already fragile sector to the brink. Condo communities across the Sunshine State are still reeling from skyrocketing HOA fees, steep maintenance costs, and tough new building laws passed in the wake of the Surfside collapse. Now, experts say a major storm could deliver a knockout punch. 'As a Florida resident, I certainly hope we are spared a direct hit this hurricane season,' Alessandra Stivelman, partner at Eisinger Law, told 'But from a legal and structural perspective, Florida condominiums are currently facing what I would describe as a perfect storm of vulnerability — both physical and financial.' 'After several relatively quiet hurricane seasons on the east coast, any significant storm now has the potential to inflict far more than just wind or water damage. 'It could expose and magnify deep-seated issues that have been building for years, including deferred maintenance, underfunded reserves, insurance gaps and a lack of readiness for new legal requirements.' Many of Florida's condos were built decades ago — long before modern hurricane codes. That means no storm-rated windows, no reinforced roofs, and poor waterproofing. But even newer buildings aren't necessarily safer. Some suffer from poor upkeep or are ill-equipped to handle storm surge and prolonged flooding. 'Condominiums, especially those located in coastal and flood-prone regions like Florida, are inherently vulnerable to hurricanes due to their high-density, multi-story construction and shared infrastructure,' Stivelman says. Heavy rains, even outside of hurricane season, can overwhelm existing infrastructure and lead to water seepage, flooding and mold—problems that are difficult and expensive to fix. Over 8 million homes in Florida are at risk of suffering moderate or greater risk of hurricane wind damage this year, while over 2 million are at risk of significant storm damage, says a new report by Cotality. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a dangerous hurricane season, which officially began on June 1 and will continue until November 30. They project 13 to 19 heavy storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes and 3 to 5 major hurricanes. With predictions of up to 19 named storms and five major hurricanes, residents of the Sunshine State – many already paying the highest home insurance premiums in the nation – are petrified. Over the last five years, several major natural disaster insurance providers have pulled out of Florida entirely or have slashed their coverage options, citing unsustainable catastrophe exposure. While many homeowners have watched their premiums triple, NerdWallet reports the annual cost of home insurance in Florida is now $2,625, which is 24 percent above the national average. Champlain Towers was in the midst of its 40-year structural review when it collapsed without warning in the early morning hours of June 24, 2021, killing 98 people Florida's condo owners are facing even more challenges, many of them tied to sweeping legislation introduced in the aftermath of the tragic 2021 Surfside condo collapse. The new building safety law, which includes mandatory inspections and strict reserve funding rules, has had a major effect on HOAs and reserve funds. 'With the recent implementation of Florida's Milestone Inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) laws, associations are under immense pressure to fund repairs and reserves simultaneously,' Stivelman says. 'A hurricane event could trigger emergency structural assessments, accelerate statutory deadlines, and force boards to make immediate financial decisions, often without sufficient insurance proceeds or reserve funds in the bank.' Stivelman adds that In some cases, associations may find themselves unable to meet both the regulatory obligations and the financial burden of post-storm recovery. 'The impact is not just property damage; rather, it's about legal compliance, market stability, and the long-term viability of aging buildings across the state,' she says. Florida condominiums are undeniably more vulnerable today than in prior years, not solely due to physical aging or deterioration, but as a result of a complex convergence of financial, regulatory, and environmental pressures layered atop existing structural risks, according to Stivelman. 'Many of the state's condominium buildings include aging structures that are increasingly susceptible to significant damage under storms and post-storm conditions,' she says. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024 leaves buildings demolished 'Additionally, continued urban development without commensurate investment in stormwater infrastructure has increased the flood risk across the state—even in the absence of hurricanes.' With all of the problems at hand, many are choosing to sell—but the flood of listings has left the market oversaturated and buyer interest has been sluggish. There are a few things condo owners can do to prepare for hurricane season. First of all, condo owners should understand that living in a condominium means sharing financial responsibility for the upkeep of the entire building, not just their individual unit. A multi-residential housing model, and major repairs like roof replacements, structural work, or waterproofing must be planned and funded collectively. 'If you are an owner and you are not consistently contributing to reserves through your dues, then when a major repair is needed, the cost will come due all at once, whether through a special assessment, a personal loan/refinance, or even being forced to sell,' says Stivelman. 'Owners should expect these expenses and plan accordingly.' She adds that in addition, active participation in condominium meetings and staying informed are essential. Florida condominium owners may qualify for assistance through several state and local programs designed to ease the financial burden of storm-resilient upgrades 'Understanding the building's financial health, upcoming repair needs, and the legal obligations of both the owners and the association is critical,' Stivelman says. 'Florida law now requires more transparency and financial responsibility from associations, but it's up to the owners to remain engaged, ask questions, and hold boards accountable. 'Knowledge and involvement are key to avoiding unnecessary surprises and ensuring the long-term stability and value of your property.' Florida condominium owners may qualify for assistance through several state and local programs designed to ease the financial burden of storm-resilient upgrades and regulatory compliance. For instance, the My Safe Florida Home Program offers matching grants for improvements such as impact-resistant windows and doors, while Miami-Dade County's Condominium Special Assessment Program provides low-interest loans to eligible owner-occupants facing significant assessments related to building repairs and recertification.

Reuters

4 days ago

• Reuters

Threat of lightning delays start of Club World Cup clash

ORLANDO, Fla, June 17 (Reuters) - The start of the Group F Club World Cup clash between South Korea's Ulsan HD and African Champions League runners-up Mamelodi Sundowns was delayed seconds before the teams were due to kick off because of the threat of lightning. The two teams had come out onto the pitch to start their first match at the competition, but as they were ready to kick off, French referee Clement Turpin took the teams off the pitch. Spectators were also told to leave their seats and take shelter on the concourse around the Inter & Co Stadium. Officials said there was a threat of lightning although there was no accompanying rain but dark cloud could be seen in the distance and the wind had picked up noticeably. The weather forecast had been for passing showers in the afternoon. The match was scheduled for a 6 p.m. local time kickoff.