Florida Mother, 43, Dies After Jumping Into St. Johns River to Save Drowning Son

A 43-year-old Florida mother died after jumping into the St. Johns River to rescue her 4-year-old son, authorities said.

The boy was playing near a wooden fence at Ed Stone Park on Saturday when he dropped an object into the river and fell in while trying to retrieve it, according to reports. His mother, Nicole Grayson, immediately went into the water after him.

Bystanders rushed to help, authorities said. One person flagged down a boater, who threw two life preservers to Grayson and her son. But officials said Grayson became submerged as she struggled to hold the boy above water.

The boater rescued the 4-year-old, and another witness jumped into the river to help get Grayson onto the boat, where CPR was performed until emergency crews arrived, officials said.

Grayson was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died in the intensive care unit Saturday night.

Grayson’s daughter, Montraevia Adams, started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and support the family. She described her mother as a selfless parent who raised six children.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office honored Grayson, thanking those who assisted in the rescue and offering condolences to her family and friends “for their loss of a mother who gave her life to save her son.”