News Summary
The family of Yannick Deumeni Ngaleu has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple lifeguard services in Myrtle Beach following his tragic drowning while attempting to rescue a child and his father. The incident occurred during his birthday celebration and raises serious questions about lifeguard actions and safety practices at the beach. The lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about lifeguard policies, particularly the dual-role model, which may have contributed to Ngaleu’s death. The family seeks justice and a jury trial as Myrtle Beach moves to reform its lifeguarding practices.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – The family of Yannick Deumeni Ngaleu, a 21-year-old from Silver Spring, Maryland, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several Myrtle Beach lifeguard services after Ngaleu drowned while attempting to rescue a child and his father from a rip current on June 13, 2022. The lawsuit, submitted to the Common Pleas court on June 6, highlights a tragic incident that has raised concerns about lifeguard practices and public safety at the beach.
Ngaleu was celebrating his 21st birthday when he noticed a child and an adult struggling in the ocean near 7th Avenue North. Witnesses reported that multiple swimmers appeared to be in distress, yet no lifeguards took action or provided warnings about the dangerous conditions. Ngaleu entered the water to assist the struggling duo and successfully helped them reach safety. However, he was then overtaken by the same rip current that had initially threatened the child and father. Tragically, his body was found washed ashore around 3:30 a.m. the following morning, at 54th Avenue North.
The lawsuit identifies Lack’s Beach Service, John’s Beach Service, and Central Beach Services of Myrtle Beach as defendants. The family’s complaint raises serious concerns about dual-role lifeguarding policies, which have allowed lifeguards to simultaneously manage swimming safety while renting out beach equipment. The lawsuit argues that these practices contributed to the tragedy of Ngaleu’s drowning. At the time of Ngaleu’s death, Myrtle Beach and Horry County had not yet ended these dual-role lifeguarding policies, which had come under fire for creating unsafe conditions for beachgoers.
The Ngaleu family is pursuing the lawsuit based on grounds of survival action, wrongful death, and liability, with legal representation from Pracht Injury Lawyers, LLP. They are requesting a jury trial. The lawsuit adds another layer to community concerns regarding lifeguarding effectiveness and accountability in Myrtle Beach, echoing past incidents that have raised alarms over safety practices.
In a notable precedent, a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a similar drowning incident in 2018 resulted in a $21 million settlement. This case prompted significant changes in lifeguarding policies in both Myrtle Beach and Horry County, triggering a reevaluation of how lifeguarding responsibilities are structured. Such incidents have led organizations like the U.S. Lifesaving Association to denounce the dual-role model, stating they do not certify agencies that engage in these practices.
In light of ongoing safety concerns, Myrtle Beach officially ended its dual-role lifeguarding system in May 2023, implementing revised franchise agreements that separate lifeguarding and commercial duties on the beach. The city’s decision reflects a commitment to prioritize safety and an acknowledgment of the limitations of previous policies.
The family of Yannick Ngaleu seeks justice for his untimely death, which they believe was avoidable had the lifeguard services adhered to appropriate safety protocols. The lack of intervention during a visible emergency raises critical questions about the effectiveness of lifeguarding practices at Myrtle Beach.
The absence of an immediate comment from Lack’s Beach Service regarding the lawsuit leaves the public in anticipation of their response as the case unfolds. Furthermore, the recent approval of a $1 million settlement by a Horry County judge in a separate wrongful death lawsuit against a Myrtle Beach lifeguard company, related to the drowning of Franklin Morris in 2020, further underscores the pressing need for reform in lifeguarding practices to ensure the safety of beachgoers.
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Additional Resources
- WBTW News
- Wikipedia: Lifeguard
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach lifeguarding lawsuit
- Live 5 News
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach lifeguard lawsuit
- MyFox8 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lifeguard
- WMBF News
- Google News: Myrtle Beach lifeguard settlement
