DELRAN, NEW JERSEY — A community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos, 33, of Delran, a woman whose final moments were defined by courage, compassion and an extraordinary willingness to help a child in danger.

Priscila died after entering the Delaware River at Amico Island Park on Monday, August 24, in an attempt to rescue a juvenile girl who was struggling in the water. Although the rescue ended tragically for Priscila, her actions helped bring the child safely back to shore.

According to the Delran Police Department, officers were dispatched to Amico Island Park, located at 81 Norman Avenue, at approximately 3:52 p.m. Monday following a report of two potential drowning victims.

When emergency responders arrived, investigators determined that a young girl had been struggling in the Delaware River. Priscila entered the water to help her. During the rescue, she managed to push the girl toward shore, where nearby bystanders were able to reach the child and pull her to safety.

Tragically, Priscila went underwater during the rescue and did not resurface.

An extensive search operation was immediately launched. Numerous local, county, state and federal agencies worked together through the afternoon and into the evening, searching the waters and shoreline in an effort to locate her.

Police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and dive teams participated in the search, joined by agencies including the New Jersey State Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Philadelphia Police and Philadelphia Fire Department, as well as Burlington and Camden County emergency management personnel and other responding agencies.

The search was suspended at approximately 9:45 p.m. Monday and resumed around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Drone operators from the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management assisted crews as the search continued.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, search crews located and recovered Priscila’s body approximately 20 feet off a beach at Amico Island Park.

For her family and loved ones, the discovery marked the devastating end to hours of uncertainty and hope.

What began as an ordinary day at the park became a tragedy that no family should have to experience. Yet in the midst of that tragedy, Priscila’s actions demonstrated remarkable selflessness. When she saw a child struggling, she did not simply stand by. She entered the water and put herself in danger in an effort to help.

She succeeded in getting the girl close enough to shore for others to bring her to safety.

That act of courage will forever be part of Priscila’s legacy.

Her life should be remembered for far more than the circumstances of her death. She was a daughter, a loved one, a friend and a member of the Delran community. She had a life filled with memories, relationships and moments shared with the people who cared about her.

Her family is now left to cope with a loss that came suddenly and tragically. The pain of losing someone so unexpectedly can be overwhelming, but the memory of Priscila’s final act may provide a measure of comfort: when someone needed help, she chose to act.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident are not believed to be suspicious at this time. The investigation remains ongoing and will be further conducted by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Amico Island Park was closed Tuesday as authorities continued their investigation.

As the community remembers Priscila, thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and everyone who knew and loved her. Her passing is a profound loss, but her courage will not be forgotten.

She entered the water to save a child.

She gave that child a chance to reach safety.

And although she could not return to shore herself, the courage she displayed in those final moments will remain a lasting part of her story.

In loving memory of Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos, 33.

May she rest in eternal peace, and may her family find strength and comfort in the love and memories she leaves behind.