Can you imagine being stranded in a river, with your loved ones in danger, and no one around to help? That’s exactly what happened to Steven and his two children, Chase and Abigail. But thanks to the incredible bravery of seven-year-old Chase, they are all alive and well today.

It was Memorial Day weekend, and the family had gone boating on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. Steven planned to do some fishing while Chase and Abigail swam nearby. Little did they know, the current was stronger than expected.

Suddenly, Chase noticed that Abigail, who was wearing a life jacket, had been pulled away from the boat. Without hesitation, Chase let go of the boat and swam towards his sister. Steven, too, jumped into the water to try and save his daughter, but she continued to drift away.

Terrified but determined, Chase swam for an hour against the strong current, never giving up. He alternated between doggie paddle and floating on his back to conserve energy. Finally, he made it to dry land and ran for help.

Meanwhile, Steven kept shouting for help and waving his arms, hoping someone would hear them. Thankfully, someone did. Rescue teams arrived promptly, and both Steven and Abigail were rescued one hour later, a mile away from their boat.

At a news conference, spokesperson Eric Prosswimmer from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department expressed his relief, 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. We couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”

This story is a reminder of how quickly things can change, especially when it comes to water safety. Parents, please exercise extreme caution when out on the water with children. Always be prepared for the unexpected.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible bravery of young Chase. His heroic actions saved his father and sister’s lives. We are immensely grateful that he was able to swim and get the help they needed.