A father and retired US Navy fighter pilot tragically lost his life while trying to save his two sons from a malfunctioning water fountain at a Florida shopping complex. Nate Davenport, 45, was spending a leisurely Sunday with his family at Harbourside Place when the incident occurred. Despite the warning signs prohibiting swimming and climbing, Davenport’s children, aged eight and 11, entered the fountain and began screaming in pain as they were electrocuted.
Without hesitation, Davenport rushed to his sons’ aid, managing to rescue them from the dangerous fountain. However, in the process, he was fatally electrocuted. Despite being rushed to Jupiter Medical Center, he never regained consciousness and passed away from his injuries, as reported by WPBF.
Davenport’s mother, Mary Davenport, tearfully shared, “He took a hit for his kids. We had 45 years with him. God blessed us with him. He’s an amazing man.” As a former fighter pilot in the Iraq War, Davenport was no stranger to bravery and selflessness, traits that he displayed once again in this tragic event.
The electrocution also injured two adults and two of Davenport’s children, who were admitted to St. Mary’s Medical Center. However, the exact cause of the malfunctioning fountain remains unknown. Local authorities, along with Harbourside Place and Florida Power & Light, are currently conducting investigations, as reported by the New York Post.
Davenport was not only a devoted father but also a war veteran and successful businessman. After serving in the US Navy for 20 years, he retired in 2008 and became president of RGD Consulting Engineers. He leaves behind a wife and four children, who are now dealing with the devastating loss of their beloved husband and father.
Nick Mastroianni, CEO of Harbourside Place, expressed his condolences and referred to the incident as a “tragedy.” He shared, “Our hearts go out to the family for this devastating loss. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and hope to prevent any similar accidents in the future.”
Hero ex-fighter pilot dad dies by electrocution saving sons from faulty water fountain https://t.co/9qsTkubxqx pic.twitter.com/8iU8BfeDic
— New York Post (@nypost) October 25, 2023
The community is mourning the loss of a hero, a father, and a friend. Davenport’s actions will forever be remembered as he gave his life to save his children. May he rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in the memories of their beloved Nate Davenport.