River rescue leads to discussions of safety measurements

A family who was visiting the Neuseway Nature Center had a turn of events when the daughter fell off the dock into the water. What started out as a relaxing day in the park, escalated into someone screaming for help.

“Me, my girlfriend, and little sister were by the bird exhibit when we heard screaming,” said Zachary Grady, a student at South Lenoir High School. “At first we thought it was kids having fun.”

Grady left the exhibit when he heard the commotion, and decided to check it out. A father jumped in the water after his daughter fell in, but neither of them could swim. Grady stepped in to rescue them both.

Judith Rouse, a bystander situated on the swings near the docks who called 911, stated, “The child ran straight for the dock, with her parents trailing behind, and next thing I knew she was in the water.”

“A young man jumped into the river and brought them both to the banks,” said Rouse. 

Little did Grady know, his training from lifeguarding at Lions Water Adventure, was going to come in hand.

“I grabbed the daughter and the father grabbed onto me. At this point, I knew this was serious. I used everything in me to swim both of them to the sandbar where we could stand,” said Grady.

The police were on the scene when Grady got both the father and daughter to the river bank.

Corey Povar, director of Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation, is in discussion with City Manager Tony Sears to discuss safety measures on and around the water, including flotation devices, better signage, and incorporating railing.

Povar is, “eternally grateful for his heroic efforts.”

The city council will recognize and honor Grady at the next city council meeting on June 15th at 7:00.

Unfortunately, the names of the family are not known. The family he saved thanked Grady, and so has the entire Kinston community on Facebook.