High school senior pulled from Alabama Gulf Coast dies. ‘To know her was to love her’
A high school senior from Mississippi who was rescued from rough waters in Alabama has died, family and friends shared on social media.
Karragan Cochran was one of three swimmers who got caught in a rip current near Dauphin Island on the afternoon of April 13, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
A good Samaritan noticed the swimmers struggling in the Gulf Coast waters and helped pull Cochran to shore, according to WPMI. Cochran’s two friends almost drowned trying to save her, the outlet reported.
By the time first responders arrived on the scene, all three swimmers were out of the water, according to a news release from the Dauphin Island Fire Rescue.
Rip currents “are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water” and prevalent along the Gulf Coast, according to the National Ocean Service.
Cochran was in critical condition and transported to a hospital in Mobile, according to the Coast Guard.
Cochran was 18 years old and a senior at East Central High School in Hurley, Mississippi, WPMI reported.
Her family and friends shared photos, memories and prayers online during her time in the hospital. On April 15, Cochran’s older sister, Kaytee, posted news of her death.
“At 4:08 my girl earned her wings,” Kaytee wrote. “Lord knows my heart wasn’t ready but she was. To know her was to love her... my best friend... my baby sister... my everything. I love you so much. This is not goodbye but see you later, my love.”
“You will be missed by so many,” A fellow student wrote on Facebook, sharing pictures of Cochran. “Thank you for endless memories and countless hugs through the years. I’m so glad we got to spend our senior field trip together and I’ll never forget our last conversation.”
Jeff Collier, the Mayor of Dauphin Island, told WKRG that the town works to warn visitors about the dangers of the Gulf Coast.
“It’s an ever-challenging situation because we have so many visitors coming to the island that are from areas that aren’t accustomed to deal with a creature such as the Gulf,” Collier told WKRG.
Cochran was set to graduate from East Central High School in about two weeks, WPMI reported.
Dauphin Island is about 16 miles southeast of Mobile.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 8:05 PM with the headline "High school senior pulled from Alabama Gulf Coast dies. ‘To know her was to love her’."
