‘She is a true hero’: Family mourns loss of NC woman after drowning during rescue at Dan River

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A Greensboro family is remembering the life of their loved one, Monica McBride, who died after saving her nephew from the Dan River.

On July 21, Monica McBride brought her children along with her nephews to the Dan River for a day in the outdoors.

Her best friend, Jessica Jerue, was on her way to meet her at the Dan River, and that is when she received heartbreaking news.

“We were on the way to meet her, and her momma called, and my heart just dropped. I was like, ‘It can’t be true. It can’t be here.’ And when we got there, it hurt. It just seemed unreal,” said Jerue.

Monica McBride drowned saving one of her nephews, who was struggling in the water, an act that left an impact on her family.

“She ain’t even think. She didn’t hesitate. She just automatically went to save her nephew, which is my son, which she would’ve did for anybody. You know, that’s just a person who she is. She had a brave heart,” said Jaquan Platt, her brother.

Monica McBride’s boyfriend pulled her out of the water, performing CPR until Emergency Services arrived on the scene. She was taken to the hospital, where she passed away. 

Family and close friends were heartbroken.

“I’m gonna miss being able to talk to her and stuff. She was very outgoing and everything about her personality,” said Crystal McBride, her sister.

Her family and friends say Monica McBride was selfless, always putting others first.

“She’s pulled me out of depression a few times. I’ve lost my grandparents, and my boyfriend a while back. I was going through a really bad time, suicidal thoughts that she pulled me out of,” said Jerue.

Monica McBride continues to help others, now as an organ donor.

“Super proud to say not only did she save her nephew, she gave two more people a chance to live by donating her heart and her liver. And that gave two more people a chance at life, so she is a true hero,” said Jada Anderson, her aunt.

Monica McBride’s family is turning to the community for support, creating a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs and counseling for her two children.