On Saturday, July 20th, Chelsea Jackson and her 1-year-old son Oliver were spending the weekend in North Carolina when tragedy struck.
Chelsea was walking on the rocks alongside Wilson Creek Gorge with her husband, Oliver, and another unnamed child when she and Oliver fell into the water.
Chelsea’s husband quickly jumped in in an effort to rescue her and Oliver. In a statement, Caldwell County Emergency Services wrote that emergency crews rushed to the creek at 6:29 that evening after a drowning was reported to them.
After arriving on the scene, all three drowning individuals were pulled from the water. Chelsea and Oliver were unconscious by the time they were reached, and despite resuscitative efforts, they sadly passed away on the scene.
In a GoFundMe page created, organizer Candice Pugh wrote, “To know Chelsea is to love her. A beautiful spirit full of love and life.”
“Chelsea was married to Joel, and they had 2 beautiful children together and built their life in Charlotte, NC. Chelsea and her youngest child have gone to be with Jesus very tragically in the late afternoon of July 20th, 2024. Her family is traveling to Charlotte, NC, from East Tennessee to be with loved ones and navigate arrangements.”
“With the cost of living being so high right now, I would love to see my community rally behind this sweet family to help pay for travel, food, hotel stays, and funeral arrangements. I cannot thank you enough for the prayers and thoughts and support for both sides of the family that are involved.”
Chelsea worked as an EMT for Piedmont EMS and was well-known and liked among first responders in her community. Richburg Fire-Rescue added, “A tragedy occurred yesterday that has touched our friends at Piedmont EMS.”
“A medic, that was also a friend of many and a mother, drowned along with her one-year-old son while in NC. Words can not express our sorrow for the pain they are experiencing with this. We offer our prayers and our support for everyone involved.”
