{"id":45694,"date":"2026-08-15T02:28:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T21:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=45694"},"modified":"2026-08-15T02:28:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T21:28:03","slug":"teacher-derrick-moore-dies-while-saving-girl-from-rip-current","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=45694","title":{"rendered":"Teacher Derrick Moore Dies While Saving Girl From Rip Current"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" height=\"371\" width=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?w=660&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80\" alt=\"Derrick Moore, Derrick Moore Teacher, Summer McCallum \" class=\"wp-image-1686128\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?strip=all&amp;quality=80 2048w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=153%2C86&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 153w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=378%2C213&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 378w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 768w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=660%2C371&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 660w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=1536%2C864&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 1536w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=180%2C101&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 180w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=140%2C80&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 140w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=70%2C40&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 70w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=178%2C100&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 178w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=356%2C200&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 356w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=89%2C50&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 89w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=720%2C405&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 720w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=900%2C506&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 900w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=1200%2C675&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 1200w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=450%2C253&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 450w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=600%2C338&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 600w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=250%2C141&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 250w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=261%2C147&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 261w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=245%2C138&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 245w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=144%2C81&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 144w, https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?resize=50%2C28&amp;strip=all&amp;quality=80 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Photo courtesy of BallertAlert\/Dekalb County School District \/ Derrick Moore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Derrick Moore, a metro Atlanta father and beloved elementary school teacher, died while trying to save a 10-year-old girl who was caught in a dangerous rip current at Myrtle Beach, according to reports from <em>11 Alive<\/em> and<em> FOX 5 News.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, for the first time since the heartbreaking incident, the young girl Moore helped rescue is speaking publicly about what happened, and the one message she wishes she could have given the man who risked his life to save hers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"h-what-happened-to-summer-mccallum-and-derrick-moore\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What happened to Summer McCallum and Derrick Moore?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer McCallum was spending the day at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her family on Friday evening, Aug. 7, when a routine beach outing suddenly turned terrifying. The 10-year-old became caught in a rip current and was pulled farther away from shore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was just scared and then my feet couldn\u2019t touch the ground,\u201d  Summer <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wfmynews2.com\/article\/news\/local\/greensboro-girl-reflects-on-stranger-who-died-saving-her-from-myrtle-beach-rip-current-derrick-moore\/83-7010e195-950b-4fe4-9eb7-18666b6851b2\">McCallum said.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The frightening situation unfolded around 8 p.m. while Summer and her family were near the water. Her uncle, Ernest McCallum, was on the beach gathering their belongings when he looked up and noticed his niece struggling in the ocean. There were no lifeguards on duty at the time of the incident, according to <em>FOX 5 News.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, Ernest said he wasn\u2019t sure Summer was actually in danger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI turned around, and I see her head just looking straight up at the sky,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m thinking, is she, is she \u2014 she must be playing, because I just seen her and everything was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it quickly became clear that Summer was being carried farther from shore by the current.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ernest immediately rushed into the water in an attempt to reach her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m swimming, I\u2019m swimming, now I\u2019m not feeling nothing under my feet,\u201d Ernest said. \u201cIt was crazy, you know, the waves hitting me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Ernest struggled against the waves and current, other beachgoers noticed what was happening and entered the water to help. Among them was Moore, a 47-year-old teacher from DeKalb County, Georgia, who was visiting Myrtle Beach with his fianc\u00e9e and her daughter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moore ultimately reached Summer and helped her stay afloat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI saw him coming, and he was like, \u2018Grab, grab my arm,\u2019 and I grabbed it,\u201d Summer said. \u201cBut he was also struggling once he got to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the help of Moore and other bystanders, Summer was eventually brought to safety using a float and made it back to shore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moore, however, did not.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After helping Summer escape the current, Moore collapsed and was caught in the water. Despite the rescue efforts, he did not return to shore. His body resurfaced early Saturday morning, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer said she wish she could have told Moore thank you for saving her life. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> \u201cI really owe my life to you,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n<h3 id=\"h-derrick-moore-s-children-students-and-family-are-devastated-by-his-passing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Derrick Moore\u2019s children, students and family are devastated by his passing.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tragic loss has left Moore\u2019s family, friends, colleagues and students mourning a man remembered for putting others before himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Rockbridge Elementary School, where Moore worked as a teacher, colleagues and parents described him as someone who made a \u201cmeaningful impact\u201d on the students around him. He was also remembered fondly at his former school, Jolly Elementary School, where those who knew him affectionately called him \u201ccoach,\u201d according to <em>FOX 5 News.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moore was more than an educator. He was also a father of four who was deeply loved by his children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Aug. 10, several of his children spoke with<em> 11 Alive <\/em>about the loss of their father and the enormous impact he had on their lives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI \u2014 feel like I lost a piece of me. Because we were just, we were so close,\u201d one of Moore\u2019s sons told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His children remembered him as a loving, supportive and encouraging father who constantly pushed them to become the best versions of themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moore\u2019s brother also reflected on his determination, describing him as someone who didn\u2019t back down once he made up his mind to accomplish something.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf he made his mind up about doing something, it wasn\u2019t nothing nobody going to do to convince him otherwise. And so it\u2019s like even with saving this little girl, he would, he would have did it 100 times over.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His family later learned through social media that he had also helped save Summer\u2019s uncle during the chaotic rescue. For the family, that detail only reinforced the kind of person Moore was. One of his sons shared a particularly emotional reminder of his father\u2019s character by pointing to the words Moore had chosen for his Instagram bio.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy father\u2019s Instagram bio ends with, \u2018I work out. What\u2019s your superpower?\u2019\u2019\u201d another one of Moore\u2019s sons told <em>11 Alive.<\/em> \u201cAnd the funny thing is his superpower was never his muscles, it was his heart.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That sentiment has resonated with everyone who has learned about Moore\u2019s final act of courage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His family says he was the type of person who would instinctively step in when someone needed help, regardless of the risk to himself. In the final moments of his life, he did exactly that.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moore\u2019s dedication to education was also recognized during his lifetime. In 2024, he was honored as Teacher of the Year while working at Jolly Elementary School, another reflection of the influence he had on his students and school community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Summer McCallum, the stranger who entered the water to save her is someone she will never forget.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, students and loved ones of Derrick Moore during this tragic time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RELATED CONTENT: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/1680301\/black-children-are-drowning-at-alarming-rates-and-the-reason-is-americas-racist-history\/\"><strong>Black Children Are Drowning At Alarming Rates \u2014 And The Reason Is America\u2019s Racist History<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<aside id=\"ione-ve-expanded\" class=\"ione-ve\">\n<\/aside><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Source: Photo courtesy of BallertAlert\/Dekalb County School District \/ Derrick Moore Derrick Moore, a metro Atlanta father and beloved elementary school teacher, died while trying to save a 10-year-old girl who was caught in a dangerous rip current at Myrtle Beach, according to reports from 11 Alive and FOX 5 News. Now, for the first&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/madamenoire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/08\/17867290862669.png?strip=all&quality=80&w=1680&crop=0,0,100,960px","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45694"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45694\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}