A remarkable tale of bravery and quick thinking has emerged from Jacksonville, Florida, where a seven-year-old boy named Chase Poust saved his family from a potentially disastrous situation on the St. Johns River.
On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, Chase was out on the river with his father, Steven, and four-year-old sister, Abigail. They had anchored their boat, and Steven was fishing while the children swam nearby. However, the strong current soon pulled Abigail away from the boat, despite her wearing a life jacket.
Chase, who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, let go of the boat to help his sister, but they both became stuck in the current. Steven jumped into the water to try and grab Abigail, but she continued to drift away. In a heart-wrenching moment, Steven told his children that he loved them, unsure of what would happen next.
Chase, despite being terrified, showed incredible courage and determination. He swam against the current for an hour, using a combination of doggie paddle and floating on his back to conserve energy. Finally, he made it to shore, where he ran for help.
Thanks to Chase’s heroic efforts, help arrived just in time. The Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued Steven and Abigail, who had drifted a mile away from their boat. The family was reunited, shaken but grateful to be alive.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson, Eric Prosswimmer, praised the outcome, saying, “We had every resource we could have possibly had coming quickly, and we’re happy to say all three have been recovered, and all three are doing well.”
This close call serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising extreme caution when on the water with children. Chase’s bravery and quick thinking saved his family, and his story is a testament to the resilience and courage of children in the face of adversity.
