7-year-old Chase Poust was swimming with his 4-year-old sister Abigail beside their father’s anchored boat on the St. John’s River during Memorial Day weekend.

Their dad was fishing when the strong current came and swept little Abigail away.

“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 said.

Steven Poust, their father, jumped into the water in an attempt to save Abigail.

She was wearing a life vest but was too small to fight the current. Steven told Chase to swim to shore.

“I told them both I loved them because I wasn’t sure what’s going to happen. I tried to stick with her as long as I could,” Steven recalled of the terrifying moment. “I wore myself out, and she drifted away from me.”

Chase admitted that he “felt really scared” but the brave young boy jumped into action.

He swam back like his dad said, going from doggie paddling then floating on his back to conserve energy. The current was going the opposite direction of the boat and the shore.

Not an easy swim especially for a young boy.

Chase made the 1-mile swim to the coast in about an hour.

And once the young boy found dry land, Chase quickly ran to the nearest home and knocked on their door. He then relayed what was happening, with the home’s occupants immediately calling 911 for help.

Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department along with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, soon found Steven and Abigail.

The father and his daughter were located over a mile away from the boat after a search that took over an hour.

Steven says he was screaming for help at the top of my lungs while waving his arms until someone heard him.

The law states that children ages 6 and under should wear a life vest for a vessel 26 feet long or shorter. Chase and Steven were not required to wear one.

The children and Steven were brought to a hospital but luckily, all three of them were uninjured and are doing well.

Eric Prosswimmer is the spokesperson for JFRD, and he commended the efforts of his colleagues, crediting the team for the success of the rescue mission.

“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,” he said. “We couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”

Steven was super proud of his brave son for his quick thinking. The boy’s courage and presence of mind are the reasons they were all alive.

Chase was asked how he became such a skilled swimmer. The little boy answered, “I have no idea.”

Watch the video below for more on this incredible story!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: My Positive Outlooks, News4JAX