Who: Chase Poust, — a 7-year-old Florida boy
When: Friday, May 28, 2020
Where: St. Johns River — Jacksonville, Florida
What: “Steven Poust, Chase’s father, anchored his boat so that his children (Chase & Abagail). . . could jump in the river for a swim while he fished. Suddenly a strong current picked up and Abigal was overtaken by it. . . . [Chase] instinctively let go of the boat to go after his sister but the current got him as well. [Mr.]Poust jumped into the water to rescue his children but the waves were just too strong.
Mr. Steven Poust: “I told them I loved them because I wasn’t sure what’s going to happen . . . I tried to stick with (Abigail) as long as I could, with both of them, I wore myself out and she drifted away from me.”
Abagail — age 4: “His sister, Abigail, was kept afloat because she was wearing a life jacket, as required by law for children her age. Abigail and her father had drifted about 2 miles away from the boat’s location before rescue teams arrived.”
Chase – age 7: “”(Chase) he swam for an hour to reach the shore and get help to save his father and sister who were overtaken by a strong current in St. Johns River.”
“I felt really scared” — Chase
“The young boy wasn’t required to wear a life so he didn’t have one on, and although he got tired, he swam and floated on his back for over an hour until he was finally able to reach the shore and knock on a neighbors door for help.”
“It was about a mile-long swim, and Chase had no floatation device to buoy him. Whenever he got tired of paddling, he would roll over on his back and float to catch his breath. . . . It took about an hour for his feet to touch the shore, and then he took off running to the first house he saw.”
“The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued Poust and his daughter. “
Other Useful Quotes:
“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,” the spokesperson said. “We couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”
“The current was so strong that my sister – she usually hangs out at the back of the boat – and she let go. So, I let go of the boat and grabbed her, and then, I was stuck.” — Chase
““The current was going the opposite way of going to the boat and the shore, so it was very hard to swim that way.” — Chase
“I screamed for help at the top of my lungs and waved my arms and sure enough someone heard us,” [Mr.] Poust said. “Little man also made it to shore and got help and that’s what saved our lives.”
“We’re here. By the grace of God, we’re here.” — Mr. Poust
. . . . .
Key Biblical Thoughts:
- saved
- rescue
- trials
- endurance
- love
- fear
- against the current
- life & death
- a little child
- grace
. . . . .
Other Information & Links:
https://www.wlbt.com/2021/05/31/boy-7-swims-for-an-hour-to-save-family-after-boating-mishap/
7-Yr-Old Braves Hourlong Swim To Rescue Dad And Sister From Powerful Current.
Boy swims an hour to save dad & little sister stuck in Florida river
RhetoricAndHomiletics.Org 