ZEBULON, N.C. (WNCN) - The mother of a young Selma boy saved by a drowning man is now speaking about what happened last weekend.
Zebulon police say Jeremie Earp of Raleigh died at Little River Park last Sunday evening while trying to save a child from the water.
The 8-year-old's mother told CBS 17 that there was a cookout at the river and Earp was a friend's boyfriend. She says he spent much of the day playing with her 8-year-old son and they were both in the water when Earp was somehow pulled under.
As that happened, Earp pushed her son's head and body above the water to keep him from drowning, the mother said.
Earp, 36, never resurfaced on his own and was later pulled from the water by several people. Rescue crews spent about an hour performing CPR on Earp.
The child's mom, who was at the scene, says Earp's actions were heroic.
The mother explained Earp could've pushed the boy aside and tried to save himself -- but instead chose to save her child.