A mother of six drowned in the St. Johns River in Central Florida while saving her 4-year-old son, according to authorities and her children. Nicole Grayson, 43, entered the river on Saturday at a park near DeLand after her son fell in while trying to retrieve a toy.
A boater who heard cries for help was able to pull the boy from the water. The boater, identified as Marc Swartz, then attempted to rescue Grayson, who had slipped beneath the surface. He managed to get her onto his boat, where another bystander, John Reaka, began performing CPR.
Despite resuscitation efforts, Grayson was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Her son, Koron, who witnessed the event, told WESH that his mother pushed him aside to protect him before rescuing his younger brother. Grayson's 17-year-old son, Dafino Devega, described his mother as someone who would have done anything for her children.
Grayson worked as a hospice nurse and was remembered by her eldest daughter, Montraevia Adams, as a loving mother who was always there for her children. Adams has started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and has asked that her mother be remembered for her positive spirit.
Swartz recounted hearing calls for help and maneuvering his boat to reach the mother and child, providing them with life vests. Reaka described the scene as a tragedy, stating he did everything possible to save her.