When your life and the lives of your loved ones are in danger, there is really no telling how far a person can go. The possibilities are almost limitless. Love and survival are two of the strongest forces and intuitive modalities in the universe. When the fear of losing someone close to you presents itself, you go into action mode, and that’s exactly what one 7-year-old did to save his sister, father and himself.
Memorable Memorial Day
Steven Poust brought his two young children boating on St. John’s River in Jacksonville, Florida for some fishing fun over Memorial Day weekend. Steven anchored down the boat so that Abigail, 4, and Chase, 7, could enjoy some swimming.
Normally Abigail stays at the back of the boat, but because the current was so strong, Abigail had to let go. When Chase saw what happened to his sister, he immediately reacted, letting go as well so that Abigail would not drift. Except, as soon as he jumped in, Chase was stuck as well.
Steven jumped in after his children to save them.
“I told them I loved them because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”
– STEVEN POUST
Steven explains, “I tried to stick with her as long as I could, and both of them really. I wore myself out. She drifted away from me.”
Chase to the rescue
Poust told Chase to swim to shore and get help while he would try to reach Abigail. Luckily, Abigail was wearing a life jacket, which kept her afloat.
Chase bravely swam to shore, taking an hour to get there. When asked by CNN affiliate WJXT if he got tired while swimming, Chase confirmed that he did, saying that he swam doggie paddle and floated on his back to conserve energy.
After Chase swam a mile to reach the shore, he ran to the nearest house for help, and help was officially on the way.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) was dispatched to the boat’s location but when they got there, they had to call in other agencies to help with the search. Steven and Abigail had drifted approximately one and a half to two miles away from the boat.
The ideal outcome
JFRD Spokesperson Eric Prosswimmer said at a news conference, “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,” PostSwimmer adds.
Chase Poust is being hailed internationally as a hero and rightfully so. The exceptionally courageous 7-year-old swam a mile by himself on a rescue mission to save his family.
“We’re here. By the grace of God, we’re here.”
– STEVEN POUST
Survival instinct
Chase embarked upon a solo journey to save his family and himself. We are all capable of doing incredible things. There are unlikely heroes everywhere. Never underestimate a human being with the power to love and survive. They just might come through when you least expect it.
