News Summary
The family of Yannick Ngaleu, who drowned while attempting to rescue swimmers at Myrtle Beach, has filed a lawsuit against local lifeguard services. Ngaleu, who died on June 13, tragically attempted to save a father and child caught in a rip current. The lawsuit alleges the lifeguards failed to act during the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns over safety at the beach. This incident follows previous lawsuits that have prompted changes to lifeguard operations in the area, raising questions about the adequacy of swimmer safety measures.
Myrtle Beach
A lawsuit has been filed following the drowning death of 21-year-old Yannick Ngaleu, who died on June 13, 2022, while attempting to rescue a child and father caught in a rip current at Myrtle Beach. The legal action highlights failures in lifeguard services in the area, alleging that lifeguards did not take appropriate measures to ensure swimmer safety during the incident.
Ngaleu, from Silver Spring, Maryland, was celebrating his birthday with family when he noticed the struggling swimmers near 7th Ave North. The suit, filed on June 6, 2025, claims that witnesses observed the lifeguards failing to intervene, issue warnings, or attempt rescue efforts despite witnessing distress among multiple swimmers. In a selfless act, Ngaleu entered the water to save the pair, managing to escort them to safety before he himself was swept away by the current. His body was recovered the next morning at approximately 3:30 a.m., near 54th Ave North.
The lawsuit names several defendants, including Lack’s Beach Service, John’s Beach Service, and Central Beach Services of Myrtle Beach, arguing that their negligence contributed to Ngaleu’s death. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for survival action, wrongful death, and liability, represented by Pracht Injury Lawyers, LLP.
Background on Lifeguard Practices
This tragic incident is not isolated. A previous lawsuit filed in 2023 resulted in nearly $21 million in damages due to similar failures by lifeguard services. This has led to significant changes in lifeguard operating models in Horry County and Myrtle Beach. Specifically, the dual-role lifeguard system, which allowed lifeguards to handle safety responsibilities and commercial duties simultaneously, has been heavily criticized and was deemed a dangerous practice.
The U.S. Lifesaving Association has condemned the dual-role model, stating it compromises the safety of beachgoers. Responding to public safety concerns and legal consequences, Myrtle Beach ceased dual-role lifeguarding practices in May 2023, while Horry County ended its dual-role system even earlier, in August 2022, after a jury linked a drowning death to this operational model.
Impact on the Community
Local communities have felt the ramifications of these drowning incidents profoundly, prompting ongoing discussions surrounding the adequacy of lifeguard services and enhanced public safety measures. The frequency of tragic drownings has raised alarms among residents and officials alike, leading to calls for improved training and clearer operational protocols for lifeguards.
The pressure for reform comes not just from legal outcomes but also from a genuine concern for public safety, as families and beachgoers seek assurance that lifeguards will be prepared and willing to respond effectively in emergency situations.
As this latest lawsuit unfolds, it may provoke further scrutiny on lifeguard practices along the Myrtle Beach shoreline and beyond, ensuring that preventive measures are established to protect swimmers and avoid future tragedies. The impact of these proceedings will likely resonate throughout the community as they seek justice for the loss of Yannick Ngaleu and others affected by similar incidents.
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Additional Resources
- Count on 2 News
- WMBF News
- The State
- My Horry News
- The State Opinion
- Wikipedia: Lifeguard
- Google Search: Lifeguard Safety Practices
- Google Scholar: Lifeguard Training Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lifeguard
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Drowning Incidents
