Nationwide — Aamina Bradley, a 14-year-old African American girl from Detroit, died after jumping into the Detroit River to save her 9-year-old cousin during a family gathering at Maheras-Gentry Park. The incident unfolded during a graduation celebration and ended in tragedy.
Detroit police said officers recovered Aamina Bradley’s body from the Detroit River at Maheras-Gentry Park on Detroit’s east side after responding to reports of a drowning on Saturday. Search crews checked the water and nearby shoreline before locating her, according to WXYZ.
Family members said the group was at a graduation party at the park when Aamina and her younger cousin moved close to the river. The 9-year-old slipped into the water, and Aamina immediately jumped in after her in an attempt to help.
Bystanders rushed in and managed to pull the 9-year-old girl out of the river safely. Aamina’s father, Glenn Bradley, then entered the water to try to rescue his daughter, but the strong current made the situation worse. Aamina went under and did not resurface.
Bradley said he saw his daughter struggle in the water and remembered her calling out to him. “Her last words were ‘dad help me’, she looked at me. When I went out there, she disappeared, she went under and never came back up. Somebody had to save me because I was drowning,” he said.
He added that Aamina loved swimming and often spent time in the water with family. “Aamina, she loved the water, I’d take her to the pool, she would swim, different things like that, they’d play games.. just in a river, in that type of setting, in that current, it pulls you out,” he said.
Bradley also said Aamina dreamed of becoming a scientist and was known for her bright smile and caring nature. He said the family is struggling with grief, including Aamina’s siblings, as they try to process the loss.
“My daughter was my baby girl, she was my everything so right now I’m numb,” he said.