Aamina Bradley died after jumping into the river, and her 9-year-old cousin survived
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NEED TO KNOW
- Aamina Bradley, 14, drowned after rescuing her 9-year-old cousin during a family graduation party at a Detroit park on Saturday, June 27, WXYZ reported
- Aamina was an experienced swimmer but was overcome by the river’s current while trying to help, her father told the outlet
- A GoFundMe has been created to support the Bradley family with funeral costs and honor Aamina’s legacy
A 14-year-old girl drowned after jumping into the Detroit River in an attempt to rescue her 9-year-old cousin on Saturday, June 27.
Aamina Bradley died after entering the water on Saturday evening, local ABC affiliate WXYZ reported.
Authorities were called to the scene at 8:30 p.m. local time after bystanders pulled the 9-year-old out of the water but could not find Aamina, CBS Detroit reported.
"We went to our rescue efforts," Detroit Police Department (DPD) Commander Lawrence Purifoy told reporters at the scene, per the outlet. "Unfortunately, our rescue efforts turned into a recovery effort."
Aamina's body was recovered by DPD, with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard, Detroit Fire Department, and Harbor Master, according to CBS Detroit.
Aamina's father, Glenn Bradley, told WXYZ that his family was at a graduation party at the park, and that his daughter had jumped in to save her cousin after she fell into the water. Glenn shared that his late daughter "loved the water" and was an experienced swimmer, but that she succumbed to the river's current and drowned.
Credit: Getty
"Her last words were 'Dad, help me'; she looked at me," Glenn said, per WXYZ. "When I went out there, she disappeared; she went under and never came back up. Somebody had to save me because I was drowning."
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield shared a statement on Sunday, June 28, about the tragedy.
"There are no words adequate to ease the grief her family is carrying today," Sheffield said via social media. "Bystanders at the park acted quickly and helped rescue her nine-year-old sister, who had also entered the water."
"No family should ever have to endure the loss of a child," Sheffield continued, after thanking first responders. "The City sends our heartfelt condolences to the family."
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A GoFundMe created by Yunique Moss is seeking to raise funds to support the grieving Bradley family with funeral costs and more. As of publication, the fundraiser has raised nearly $2,500 of its $4,500 goal.
"Aamina was a beautiful, bright, loving and feisty girl, but she had smile that could light up any room," the fundraiser description read. "She cherished spending time with her family and friends, and her shy but funny spirit touched everyone who knew her."
Aamina died while performing an act of "incredible courage and selflessness," the GoFundMe said.
PEOPLE reached out to Detroit Police for comment.