BROWNSBURG — Brownsburg Police say a woman died Wednesday after she went into a creek to save her granddaughters.
Captain Jennifer Barrett says the granddaughters entered the creek at Arbuckle Acres Park to save their puppy around 4:45 p.m.
Family members have identified the grandmother as Christine Bright.
Bright's daughter, Emilie Shea, said her mother died a hero.
"She was my best friend and has always sacrificed for me and my girls," Shea said. "This was just her last act of sacrificial love. She loved deeply and truly. And I'm completely blessed to be her daughter."
The family's pastor, Tim Bryan, tells WRTV that Bright was there with her family scoping out the park - where they were planning to hold a birthday party this weekend.
Bright made it to shore and collapsed, according to police. The granddaughters were not physically injured and are in good health.
Barrett says Bright may have had a medical event that led to her collapsing, but her official cause of death has not been released.
"The grandmother is a hero and seemingly this was her last self sacrificing deed prior to passing," Barrett said in an email.
WRTV has learned the puppy, Lily, was found but is not alive.
The family's church, LifeWay Apostolic Church, is collecting donations to help the family with funeral and other expenses.
Donations for the family can be made to:
LifeWay Apostolic Church
7754 Cobblesprings Dr.
Avon, Indiana 46123
Special Note: Christine Bright Memorial Fund
-
Delphi Murders Trial: Day 21| Jury wrestling with Richard Allen verdict
The jury has worked 14 hours over parts of three days on the Richard Allen case. They still do not have a verdict, as they returned to work Monday.
Thought Halloween was over? Not for this Greenwood family business
Some people are debating whether or not it’s time to decorate for Christmas. But for one Greenwood family business, Halloween never ends, even after the big box stores close for the season.
Indy non-profit brings resources to veterans struggling with substance use
Overdose lifeline is a local non-profit helping to bring context to the link between addiction and veterans’ mental health challenges.
Trump announces former acting ICE Director Tom Homan as new 'border czar'
President-elect Donald Trump announced that Tom Homan will be his new "border czar" after Homan told CBS News that some U.S. citizens could be among those included in mass deportations.
