A Saturday afternoon at Ed Stone Park in DeLand turned tragic when a 43-year-old mother died after jumping into the St. Johns River to save her 4-year-old son, authorities said. Witnesses and a passing boater helped pull the child from the water, while bystanders performed CPR on the mother on shore. She was taken to a hospital, where she did not survive.
Rescue and response
Deputies were called to the park around 4 p.m. after reports that a woman and child were in the river. Before first responders arrived, witnesses flagged down a passing boater, who brought the child to safety. Another bystander helped pull the mother from the water and started CPR, continuing until EMS got to the scene. The child was not injured, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Officials' statement
The Volusia Sheriff's Office publicly thanked the witnesses and the boater who jumped in to help and offered condolences to the woman's family. In a statement reported by FOX 35 Orlando, the agency described her as "a mother who gave her life to save her son."
St. Johns River hazards
The St. Johns River in this stretch can be deceptively dangerous, with currents, underwater vegetation, and shifting depths that make rescues difficult. Earlier this year, the Volusia Sheriff's Office reported another fatal drowning on the river in March, underscoring those hazards, according to the agency's news pages Volusia Sheriff's Office.
Safety reminders
Public health experts urge multiple layers of protection around water for families, including close and constant adult supervision, properly fitted life jackets, and formal swimming lessons for children. The CDC notes that drowning is a leading cause of injury death for young children, and the American Red Cross recommends "layers of protection" such as physical barriers and designated, vigilant water watchers, along with CPR and water-safety training for the community.
