Mother’s bravery saves son from drowning during storm at Aberdeen beach

A mother's instinct leads her to save her son from stormy seas at Aberdeen beach.

Mother’s bravery saves son from drowning during storm at Aberdeen beach

In a heart-stopping incident at Aberdeen beach, a mother’s instinctive act of bravery saved her four-year-old son from the clutches of turbulent waters during Storm Ashley.

Karolina Krzyzanowska, 35, witnessed her son Eddie being swept away and, without a second thought, jumped into the sea to rescue him. This harrowing event unfolded on a seemingly ordinary family day out, turning into a nightmare that would test the limits of a mother’s love.

The terrifying moment

On Sunday, as winds reached up to 70mph, Eddie excitedly leaped over a fence, only to find himself engulfed by the raging sea. Karolina, who was just a few steps away, felt a surge of panic as she watched her son being dragged further into the water. “I thought I was going to lose him forever,” she recalled, her voice trembling with emotion. With no time to waste, she plunged into the icy depths, driven by the primal urge to protect her child.

A struggle against nature

Once in the water, both mother and son faced the relentless force of the waves. Karolina described the overwhelming power of the sea, stating, “It felt like the water was pulling me down.” Despite her exhaustion, she fought to keep Eddie above water, desperately trying to give him a chance to breathe. “I thought I was going to die,” she admitted, revealing the sheer terror of the moment. Separated by the crashing waves, her strength began to wane, and she feared the worst.

The rescue and aftermath

Just when hope seemed lost, a bystander jumped into action, pulling Karolina from the water. The first thought that crossed her mind was about Eddie’s safety. “I wasn’t relieved I had been saved at first. I was just so worried about Eddie,” she said. Fortunately, Eddie was found safe on the shore, having been rescued by other beachgoers. Both were rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where they received medical attention. Karolina expressed her profound gratitude to those who risked their lives to save them, stating, “If not for them, my son would not be here.”

Community support and recovery

In the days following the incident, the family has shown remarkable resilience. Eddie is now back to his playful self, while Karolina reflects on the traumatic experience with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. She has also faced criticism online, with some individuals blaming her for the accident. “This was an accident, not a reckless act,” she asserted, urging people to show compassion rather than judgment. As they prepare to return to their normal lives, the Krzyzanowska family is a testament to the strength of love and community support in the face of adversity.