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Officials said Nicole Grayson “gave her life to save her son”
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A mom of six died after she dove into a river in Volusia County, Fla., to save her 4-year-old son
The child was unharmed, but the 43-year-old woman died after bystanders rescued them both from the water
“She loved each of us unconditionally and would do anything for her kids,” wrote Nicole Grayson’s daughter
A mom of six died after she jumped into a Florida river to save her 4-year-old son.
On Saturday, July 18, a 4-year-old boy was playing near a wooden fence located on the edge of the St. Johns River in Ed Stone Park in DeLand when he dropped an object into the water, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. When the little boy attempted to retrieve it, he fell into the river, a preliminary investigation revealed. In response, his mother, 43-year-old Nicole Grayson, went into the water to save him.
By 4 p.m. local time, deputies were dispatched to the park following reports that the mother and child were in the river, authorities said. While emergency teams were en route, one bystander flagged down a boater, who threw two life preservers to Grayson and her son.
“Grayson became submerged as she struggled to hold her son above water,” officials said.
Fortunately, the person in the boat was able to get close enough to pull the 4-year-old child, who was unharmed, from the fast-moving river. Another witness then jumped in and was able to help lift the woman in distress onto the boat. The rescuer performed CPR until emergency services personnel arrived and were able to take over.
Grayson was transported to a nearby hospital, where life-saving efforts continued. Despite the efforts of her medical team, the woman died in the ICU on Saturday around 10 p.m., the sheriff’s office said.
Following the tragedy, Grayson’s eldest child, Montraevia Adams, created a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and support the family.
“She was an incredible mother who raised six children,” wrote Adams, who did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. “She loved each of us unconditionally and would do anything for her kids.”
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“We were truly blessed to have a mother who was caring, supportive, selfless,” the grieving daughter continued, “and always willing to sacrifice her time to make sure we had what we needed.”
Officials — who also shared the GoFundMe fundraiser — recognized Grayson’s last brave act in their release.
“Sheriff Chitwood and the entire Volusia Sheriff’s Office send sincere thanks all who jumped in to help with the rescue,” authorities said, “and deepest condolences to Ms. Grayson’s family and friends for their loss of a mother who gave her life to save her son.”
Read the original article on People
