It is stated that this beach had no lifeguards on duty at that time. Friends of Cooper claim that they were trying to swim out to small island that was across the water. This undisclosed teen recalls that it was at the moment he reached the shores of the island that he noticed his two other friends starting to drown. He says that they were in some form of trouble; this is possibly due to the conditions of the waters at the time. This teen was able to make it back to the beach safely, and the other friend was saved by a rescuer. Jamiel Cooper wasn’t as fortunate however, the rescuers were unable to get to him on time and his body was submersed under water.
Statistics according to International Life Saving Federation state that around the world over 1.2 million people die to drowning accidents per year, more than half of these being children. Nationwide it is said that 10 people die daily from these accidents in the water. While this is a tragic event, well known and loved Busco Beach in the 20 years this man made beach has been in existence, have had only five drowning accidents.