A Florida father-of-four has died after heroically saving his children who were being electrocuted by a shopping center fountain.
Nate Davenport, 45, from Jupiter was with his family at the Harbourside Place shopping and dining complex in Jupiter on Sunday afternoon, when at least two of the children began to play in the splash pad.
The retired US Navy fighter pilot and businessman soon heard his kids screaming as the electric currents zapped them in the water, WPBF reported.
The devoted father reached into the water and pulled out his sons, aged 8 and 11, but was electrocuted himself.
The brothers and another child were left injured, as were Davenport and another adult.
Nate Davenport, 45, (left) from Jupiter was with his family at the Harbourside Place shopping and dining complex in Jupiter on Sunday afternoon, when at least two of the children began to play in the splash pad
The fountain is separated from the splash pad by a small wall, and is inside an outdoor amphitheater used for music concerts
The retired US Navy fighter pilot and businessman (left) soon heard his kids screaming as the electric currents zapped them in the water
Davenport did not regain consciousness and died at the Jupiter Medical Center before his wife Amy and children were able to say goodbye, WPBF reported.
The children were taken to St Mary’s Medical Center where they are being monitored for elevated enzymes.
‘The kids started screaming, “We’re getting shocked, we’re getting shocked, and so he rushed in to save them.”‘ Davenport’s mother, Mary Davenport, told WPBF.
‘He took a hit for his kids. We had 45 years with him. God blessed us with him. He’s an amazing man,’ the heartbroken mother said of her hero son.
Davenport worked with his mother Mary and father Robert at the family business RGD Consulting Engineers.
It was not immediately clear what led to the deadly 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, and is inside an outdoor amphitheater used for music concerts.
‘He took a hit for his kids. We had 45 years with him. God blessed us with him. He’s an amazing man,’ Davenport’s heartbroken mother said of her hero son
Davenport did not regain consciousness and died at the Jupiter Medical Center before his wife Amy (right) and children were able to say goodbye, WPBF reported
Davenport worked with his mother Mary and father Robert at the family business RGD Consulting Engineers
Davenport’s brother-in-law Mike Bishop said he ‘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 that the family was receiving widespread support from the local community after Nate’s (right) death
A Florida father-of-four has died after heroically saving his children who were being electrocuted by a shopping center fountain
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 released a statement calling what happened Sunday ‘a tragedy.’
‘Our focus is on the people involved and their families,’ the statement read.
‘We ask the community to join us in praying for them.’
Davenport’s brother-in-law Mike Bishop said he ‘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 that the family was receiving widespread support from the local community.
‘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.