Video Shows Human Chain Fall Apart As Woman Dies During Rescue Attempt

A 54-year-old woman died while trying to rescue a nine-year-old girl who was struggling to swim in the waters off the coast of Alabama. As the young girl was pulled under the water, about 20 adults, including Karen Graham, formed a human chain to try to pull the girl back to the shore. 

As the group battled the waves, the human chain broke, leaving many of the adults struggling to swim in the choppy water. The Coast Guard dispatched a boat to help, but it was called back after civilians in the area managed to rescue everyone. 

Graham was airlifted to the hospital after she was pulled from the water. She was pronounced dead after suffering from a heart attack.

"She swallowed water directly into her lungs. The doctor told her husband she actually died of a heart attack from salt build-up," Graham's mother, Laura Carrigan, told WPMI.

Another person was transported to the hospital, but their condition is unknown.

Carrigan told the station that she is proud of her daughter's selfless actions.

"I'm hurt, of course, that she's gone, but I know she worked really hard to save those girls' lives," said Carrigan.

Photo: YouTube/WPMI