Maryland Soccer Player Dies On Birthday Trying To Save Drowning Child

MYRTLE BEACH, SC —A Maryland soccer player died on his birthday trying to save a drowning child in South Carolina.

Yannick Deumeni-Ngaleu, 21, was helping a father pull his son from a rip current Monday when he disappeared in the waters, according to WMBF-TV.

"Our brave and courageous brother/son without thinking went in and decided to help them. He managed to help the son get out and went back in to also assist the father," his family posted on their GoFundMe page. "Unfortunately, after helping the father get out, he couldn’t manage to save himself and got caught up in the current."

Deumeni-Ngaleu's body washed ashore early Tuesday morning near 54th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. He died of asphyxiation due to drowning, the Horry County Coroner's Office said.

He played soccer for the Maryland Bobcats FC and dreamed of one day going professional. Originally from Cameroon but living in Silver Spring, Deumeni-Ngaleu was in the Grand Strand celebrating his big day.

"Yannick was born June 13, 2001 and God decided to bring him back home on June 13, 2022," his family posted on their GoFundMe page. "Yannick was a selfless, funny, caring and loved individual. He was always the life of the party, always making jokes and had an amazing personality. He was always willing to help anyone that he could."

After learning of his death, Maryland Bobcats FC issued the following statement via Twitter:

The club is devastated to learn that Reserve Team player Yannic Ndaleau has tragically passed away at the age of 21.

The incident occurred after Yannick jumped in to help save a drowning child in Myrtle Beach, SC. This act shows the character Yannick had and we are heartbroken for his family.

His family launched a GoFundMe page Thursday to help them with returning his body back to Cameroon for burial.

As of Friday, the family has raised more than $24,000 from nearly 500 donors. To donate, click here.

Patch is a promotional partner.