BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A Brunswick woman was left in critical condition after a heroic attempt to save a child caught in a rip current.
The incident happened in October at Ponte Vedra Beach, where Cathy Dowdy risked her life to rescue the 6-year-old son of a family friend, professional golfer Brian Harman.
The child and another person who dove to help, Crane Cantrell, emerged relatively unscathed, but Dowdy suffered severe injuries.
Harman, who was away at a tournament during the vacation, expressed his gratitude at a November news conference. “I think that bravery and doing something like that for people who aren’t your blood is just the most beautiful thing you can do in this life,” he said.
According to the St. Johns Citizen, a lifeguard pulled Dowdy from the water and performed lifesaving measures before she was taken to a local hospital. Since then, Dowdy has been moved to a hospital in Georgia.
Her family has shared updates through a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $100,000. The page was created to support the Dowdy family by paying for hotel rooms, possible long-term lodging, food, and gas.
“We want them to be comfortable and supported for the time it takes for our Cathy to make it back to us,” Dowdy’s friend wrote on the page. “Above all, we ask you to continue to PRAY for a full recovery.”
Mike Dowdy recently shared on the GoFundMe page that Cathy has been breathing on her own for hours at a time and responding well to reduced medications. “We just need her to keep up with the progress and pray that God will wake her up soon,” he wrote.
Dowdy’s friends and family are encouraging continued prayers.
To support Cathy Dowdy’s recovery, donations can be made through the GoFundMe page.