A DeLand mother has died after jumping into the St. Johns River to save her 4-year-old son who had fallen into the water on Saturday afternoon.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office stated that deputies responded to Ed Stone Park, just west of DeLand, at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, after witnesses reported that two people were in the river: a mother, identified as 43-year-old Nicole Grayson, and her young son.
An initial investigation reportedly revealed that the 4-year-old boy was playing with an item near a wooden fence at the river’s edge when he accidentally dropped it over the fence. While attempting to retrieve the item, he fell into the water, which prompted his mother, Grayson, to immediately jump into the river to rescue him.
While emergency units were en route, a witness at the park flagged down a nearby boater who threw two life preservers to Grayson and her son. However, Grayson became submerged as she struggled to keep her son above the water, according to VCSO.
“The boater was able to get close enough to pull the 4-year-old onto the boat unharmed,” said VCSO in a social media post.
Another witness at the park jumped into the river, swam to Grayson, and helped lift her onto the boat. The witness then performed CPR until paramedics arrived and took over the life-saving measures.
Grayson was transported to a local hospital. Despite extensive efforts to revive her, Grayson was unable to recover and passed away in the intensive care unit at around 10 p.m. on Saturday.
“Sheriff [Mike] 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,” said the agency in a social media post.