26 October 2023 , 13:49
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A dad has been electrocuted to death after jumping into a fountain to save his two kids.
Nate Davenport, 45, from Jupiter, Florida, died at the Harbourside Place shopping and dining complex on the afternoon of Sunday 22, October. At least two of his children began playing in the fountain when they began to scream.
It was then that the US Navy fighter pilot was spurred into action - he reached into the water to pull out his kids who were being zapped by electric currents. He managed to successfully recover his sons, aged 8 and 11, but in the process was himself electrocuted.
Both brothers, a third child as well as Nate and another person were all injured and the father and businessman later died at Jupiter Medical Center after he did not regain consciousness. He died before his wife Amy and his children were able to say goodbye. The children were taken to St Mary's Medical Center where they are being monitored for elevated enzymes.
Nate Davenport died saving his children from electrocution (NATE DAVENPORT/INSTAGRAM)Davenport worked with his mum Mary and dad Robert at the family business RGD Consulting Engineers. Nate’s mother Mary Davenport told WPBF: “The kids started screaming, We're getting shocked, we're getting shocked, and so he rushed in to save them. 'He took a hit for his kids. We had 45 years with him. God blessed us with him. He’s an amazing man.”
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It is not clear what exactly led to the electrocution. A spokesperson for Harbourside Place said the incident happened not in the splash pad area but in the fountain where there are signs warning “no climbing” and “no swimming” WPTV reported. The fountain is separated from the splash pad by a small wall.
Jupiter police said they were investigating the electrocution with assistance from the town’s Building Department, Harbourside Place and Florida Power & Light. Harbourside Place CEO Nick Mastroianni said the situation was a “tragedy”. “Our focus is on the people involved and their families,” he added. “We ask the community to join us in praying for them.”
Davenport's brother-in-law Mike Bishop said Nate “did exactly what we would expect him to do. And you know what any father would do, hopefully, but him, especially just his character, that's what he was.” Mary Davenport added: “We have been getting so many calls and emails.
From clients, from friends, from other contractors, from subcontractors who have just poured their heart out to me to say how much Nate meant to them and how he impacted their life. And so that is the blessing to us' she told the outlet.”