Newport Beach, California: Terrifying moment two children trapped in sinkhole as tide surges in

What started as a playful afternoon of digging in the sand almost ended in disaster when two young boys became stuck in a collapsing sinkhole at Newport Beach, California.

The pair had been digging when the rising tide flooded their pit, leaving them trapped up to their waists in heavy, wet sand.

In the frantic footage, now viewed more than 20 million times, parents can be heard screaming for help as one child desperately cried out: “get the lifeguard!”

Beachgoers dropped to their knees, using their hands and plastic buckets to claw at the sand as water surged in.

Within moments, lifeguards sprinted to the scene, one leaping into the hole to haul the children upward while another tried to build a small dam to hold back the tide. After several tense minutes of digging, the boys were finally pulled to safety.

Lifeguard Mark Herman explained how quickly the situation turned perilous.

“Once that sand gets wet it gets heavy. It basically buried them from their waist down. They couldn’t get themselves out,” The Sun reported.

He added, “Luckily, these kids, the rest of their bodies were above (the sand). But when (kids are) tunnelling, or if they’ve gone too far down and the sand caves in above them, that’s when it can get pretty dangerous. It’s a reminder that the beach is beautiful, but it can be dangerous.”

Beachgoer Brittney Hood, who witnessed the ordeal, said she was shaken. “I couldn’t imagine a hole collapsing on a child. I’m so glad they’re okay,” she said.

The near-tragedy comes just weeks after 17-year-old Riccardo Boni was buried alive in Italy when a sand tunnel collapsed.

Officials say both incidents are grim reminders of how unstable sand can be, especially when saturated by waves or tides.

“Even shallow holes can collapse with little warning. And when the tide is rising, seconds matter,” Mr Herman warned.

“We’re enjoying ourselves. But safety is always our top priority.”