John and Heather Ford from Louisiana were wrapping up a weekend trip to Austin with their three-year-old daughter, Olivia.
Before heading home, they decided to rent a canoe for a ride along the Colorado River, hoping for a bit of sunshine and some last memories together.
It was supposed to be a peaceful end to their getaway, but fate had different plans. What they discovered on the river would turn an ordinary day into a moment they’d remember for the rest of their lives.
As the family glided beneath the Mopac Bridge, Heather noticed movement out of the corner of her eye…