The strangers who saved 4 kids from their mother

When this pregnant mum -of-three attempted to drown herself and her kids, heroic onlookers saved them all. Now details are emerging of why she did such an unthinkable thing.

When witnesses first spotted a minivan driving slowly along the water’s edge at a Daytona, Florida, beach, they didn’t think anything of it. Moments later the car suddenly plunged into the ocean and began filling with water. Horrified onlookers raced to the van and as they approached it saw a young boy inside, banging on the window  and screaming.

“Help us. Help us,” he begged as the car was dragged further into the ocean.

One witness told CBS News, “My friend pointed out that there was a car getting really close to the beach, and actually started driving on the water. I saw a kid in the back, like waving his arms around, screaming, ‘Help us! Help us!’ and the car kept going deeper.”

Tim Tesseneer and another witness were the first to reach the car. “She was pretty deep, and the water was moving the van, and the kids were screaming. He got the two kids out while she [the driver] dove out the window, the driver’s window… just belly-flopped into the water.”

The kids were still screaming as they walked away from the van and it was then that Tesseneer realised what they were saying. “There’s a baby, there’s a baby”. He ran back to the van in time to see two lifeguards carrying the toddler from the car.

The family was taken to a nearby hospital to be examined before police arrived to question the mother. It is believed the children aged 10, 9 and 3 are currently in the care of the Department of Children and Families. The mum is undergoing a mental assessment.

What would drive a mother to do this? How could a pregnant woman become so depressed that she feels the only option left to her is to end her own life and the lives of those most precious to her?

There are now claims that she was fleeing an abusive partner. Relatives have reported that police visited the mum shortly before the incident took place. Questions are being asked about the level of support offered for struggling mothers.

Watching these events unfold only leaves me feeling sadness for the mother, compassion for her children and admiration for those who saved their lives.

Watch the terrifying footage here.

If you are suffering from depression or know someone who is please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Association) on 1300 726 306.

Do you think there is enough support available for mothers who are struggling?