Heroic Act in Yuma, Arizona
In Yuma, Arizona, authorities report that a man tragically lost his life after rescuing two boys from a perilous situation in the Colorado River during the holiday weekend.
On Saturday around noon, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an incident at a nearby river. Two boys, aged 12 and 10, were riding on a sandbar near Horseshoe Island when a sudden strong current swept them away.
At that moment, 51-year-old Jeff Brady jumped into action, swimming to the boys and keeping them afloat until help could arrive. Thankfully, the children were rescued, but unfortunately, Brady struggled with floating and soon went under, never to resurface.
His best friend, Summer Needham, shared, “Jeff essentially held both kids up so they could breathe until rescuers got to them. Sadly, he didn’t make it.” Brady’s body was subsequently found before 7:30 PM.
Loved ones remember Brady’s last act as a true testament to his character. Joanne Ripley, a family friend, expressed, “Everyone who met him loved him instantly. He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold.”
A family man at heart, Brady cherished fishing and boating along the lower Colorado River, a place he and his family lovingly referred to as their “slice of paradise.” Originally from the San Diego area, he and his family visited nearly every weekend before he made Yuma his home, where he supported his girlfriend and cared for his elderly father.
Craig Degraf, another family friend, noted, “Everything seemed to be coming together for him.” Besides his passion for the outdoors, Brady was also a familiar face in the MMA community, having been a former fighter who supported athletes through the Professional Fighters League.
Brady had saved one of the boys, who is his girlfriend’s nephew. In light of the tragedy, the family is raising funds to assist with the child’s recovery and to cover funeral expenses for Brady through a GoFundMe page.
Support has poured in from the MMA community, with various fighters expressing appreciation for Brady’s kindness on social media. As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised over $74,000, including a generous $10,000 donation from UFC CEO Dana White.
Authorities encourage anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-Crime. Tips can also be submitted through the YCSO website.
