High School Grad, 19, Dies After Being Dragged by Riptide

A recent high school graduate died after being pulled out into a riptide while on vacation in Florida last week.

Jayla Tassin, 19, was visiting Orlando, Florida, from Louisiana with her family when they stopped to spend the day at Daytona Beach. Tassin reportedly decided to take a dip in the ocean and was dragged underwater by a riptide and then a larger wave swept her out deeper into the water. 

“It happened quietly and no one even saw. We were all right there in the water with her,” according to the family's GoFundMe page. 

Tassin was found unconscious in the water a while later and was brought back to shore by a woman, People reported. 

Unfortunately, after she was transferred to the hospital and put on life support, Tassin died Monday.

“Although she was a great swimmer, Jayla was no match for the rip current that pulled her underwater in a moment’s notice,” a family friend, Natalie Robottom, wrote on her Facebook. “... Despite a valiant effort to save her, Jayla never recovered.”

Tassin graduated East St. John High School in May and was set to attend college in the fall. 

Tassin's GoFundMe has raised more than $9,000 so far.

“’Loving, beautiful, kind, warm spirited’ are just some of the adjectives used to describe Jayla. She has left her mark on our community and St. John the Baptist Parish will always be Jayla’s home. She will never be forgotten,” Robottom added. 

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