Kristoff Murray Wiki Biography
- ‘Apollo Beach Hero’ identified as 27-year-old Kristoff Murray on Saturday is still missing after trying to save a drowning boy and his father in Florida.
- The 3-year-old and his father were caught in a current at Apollo Beach Nature Reserve in Hillsborough County on Friday.
- The nature preserve ‘includes 2 acres of beach for picnicking… sunbathing and fishing on the gorgeous shoreline’, but swimming is not allowed, according to their website
- “The current was so strong that no rescue attempt was as good and pure as its intentions,” officials said.
- The bodies of both the toddler and the boy’s father were found late Friday, but Murray is still missing on Sunday.
- Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Natalia Verdina said authorities have withdrawn search and rescue efforts, but are still conducting spot checks in the area.
- Murray’s wife and mother are hopeful that he may still be alive, noting that he is a very good swimmer.
Kristoff Murray Incident Details Bio
A three-year-old and his father drowned at a Florida nature preserve on Friday after two of them were swept away by the current at the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, and a third man who tried to save them is now missing.
The ‘Apollo Beach Hero’, identified as 27-year-old Kristoff Murray on Saturday, is still missing after he tried to save the drowning boy and his father, and the search was withdrawn on Sunday, according to officials in Hillsborough County.
Authorities learned of the dire situation after the 911 call from Murray’s distraught wife, Tjonique Gray, after Murray tried to rescue them by swimming around 7 p.m., WFLA reported.
According to Tampa, the bodies of both the toddler’s and the boy’s father, both of whom were not immediately identified, were found a few hours later at around 9 p.m. Friday, the father died at the scene and the boy died at a nearby hospital shortly afterward. news outlet.
Meanwhile, Murray still has not been seen dead or alive on Sunday.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister lauded the brave young man who risked his own life to try to save a young boy and his father.
I couldn’t be more grateful for his heroic deeds. Unfortunately the current was so strong that no rescue attempt was as good and pure as his intentions,” said Chronister Murray.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Natalia Verdina told the news outlet that although authorities have withdrawn search and rescue efforts for Murray, they will continue to conduct on-site checks as they regularly patrol the area.
The nature preserve’s website states that it has ‘2 acres of sandy beach for picnics… sunbathing and fishing on the gorgeous coastline’, but swimming is not allowed.
Chronister warned beachgoers, especially those with young children, to always follow the park’s rules to avoid further tragedy.
If you have areas that are clearly marked ‘no swimming’ there is a reason. I ask every parent out there not to put an infant child without a life jacket near any moving or open body of water,” Chronister added.
As for Murray, his wife and mother still hold strong to the belief that he may still be alive.
“I hope he’s in there somewhere,” Gray told Mr. News 9, “He’s a pretty good swimmer. We’re pretty hopeful. His mother is pretty hopeful. We just hope for the best.”