Escambia Sheriff Reacts to Drowning Deaths of Two Pensacola Girls

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Two little girls are dead after Pensacola Police found them unresponsive in a neighbor's swimming pool Tuesday evening on Gerhardt Drive. Officers pulled the 5 and 8-year-old from the water and tried to save them but both were pronounced dead at the hospital.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons reacted to the tragedy Wednesday morning and says calls like this never get easier — for families or for the first responders who answer them.

"My heart goes out not just to the family but to the officers, to the EMS personnel that tried," Simmons said. "They did everything they could. The emergency room physicians and nurses — they tried. And they have to go home and try to get this out of their mind."

Simmons says when a child goes missing the first place to look is always a body of water — every second matters and it is the most immediate danger. He says his office has run water safety campaigns for years after responding to too many of these calls.

The investigation is continuing. If you or someone you know needs support after a loss the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock by calling or texting 988.