MOM DIES AFTER JUMPING INTO DELAWARE RIVER TO SAVE GIRL FROM DROWNING

NEW JERSEY — A mother of two died after jumping into the Delaware River to rescue a young girl who was struggling in the water — managing to push the child toward safety before disappearing beneath the surface herself.

The woman was identified as 33-year-old Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos by the Delran Township Police Department.

The incident happened Monday, Aug. 24, at Amico Island Park in Delran, shortly before 4 p.m. Authorities said Priscila entered the fast-moving river after seeing a juvenile girl in distress.

SHE GOT THE GIRL TO SHORE

According to police, Priscila was able to push the girl toward the shoreline, where other bystanders pulled the child safely from the water.

But Priscila did not make it back.

Witnesses saw her go underwater, and she failed to resurface. A major search involving multiple emergency agencies continued into the following morning.

HER BODY WAS FOUND ON HER 34TH BIRTHDAY

After the overnight search was suspended, rescue crews resumed operations at approximately 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

At around 8:15 a.m., Priscila’s body was discovered approximately 20 feet from a beach at the park and recovered.

The discovery came on what would have been her 34th birthday.

Her husband was present during the recovery efforts and confirmed to NBC10 Philadelphia that Priscila was a mother of two.

POLICE SAY THE DEATH DOES NOT APPEAR SUSPICIOUS

Authorities said there is currently no indication of suspicious circumstances surrounding Priscila’s death.

The Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct the continuing investigation into the circumstances and official cause of death.

Amico Island Park remained closed while the investigation continued.

 SHE SAVED A CHILD — AND NEVER MADE IT BACK

Priscila saw a girl struggling in the Delaware River and immediately went into the water to help.

She succeeded in getting the child close enough for bystanders to pull her to safety.

But Priscila herself was swept beneath the surface.

She gave her life trying to save someone else’s. And on the very day her family should have been celebrating her 34th birthday, they instead faced the heartbreaking discovery of her body.