In a heart-stopping tale of bravery, 7-year-old Chase Poust swam for an hour against a strong current to get help for his family after they became stranded in the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida.
On May 28, Chase, his father Steven, and 4-year-old sister Abigail set out on a boat trip, but the current proved too strong, sweeping Abigail away from the boat. Without hesitation, Chase jumped in to save his sister, despite not wearing a life jacket.
With his father’s help, Chase managed to keep Abigail afloat, but they were drifting further away from the boat. Exhausted, Steven told his children he loved them, unsure of what would happen next.
Chase, however, drew on his courage and swam to shore, using a combination of doggie paddle and floating to conserve energy. After an hour of swimming against the current, he reached dry land and ran for help.
Thanks to Chase’s quick thinking and bravery, his father and sister were rescued an hour later, a mile away from their boat. The family was reunited, shaken but grateful.
This close call serves as a reminder to always exercise extreme caution when on the water with children. Chase’s heroic actions saved his family, and his story is a testament to the power of bravery and quick thinking in the face of danger.