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DELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida mother died after saving her 4-year-old who fell into the St. Johns River on Saturday, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said.
Law enforcement responded to Ed Stone Park at around 4 p.m. on July 18 after witnesses reported that the mother and son were in the river.
An early investigation suggests the child dropped a toy over a fence by the river and fell in while trying to retrieve it, VSO said. His mother, 43-year-old Nicole Grayson, didn’t hesitate to jump in after him.
The sheriff’s office said a witness flagged down a nearby boater who threw two life preservers to the DeLand mother as she struggled to hold her son above water.
The boater was able to get the 4-year-old safely onto the boat unharmed. Another witness jumped into the river, helped lift Grayson onto the boat, and began CPR until EMS arrived.
She was transported to a nearby hospital and, despite life-saving measures, died in the ICU later that evening, VSO said.
“Sheriff Chitwood and the entire Volusia Sheriff’s Office send sincere thanks to all who jumped in to help with the rescue, and deepest condolences to Ms. Grayson’s family and friends for their loss of a mother who gave her life to save her son.”
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