Mom Who Died Saving Son Kept Him Above Water Until Rescue

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — As a Colorado mother enjoyed a family boat trip across Lake Powell's summer waters, she heard a scream and splash as her 2-year-old son slipped off their houseboat and into the water.

Chelsey Russell, a 35-year-old mother of two from Lakewood, jumped in to rescue her son.

She managed to keep the boy above water for at least five agonizing minutes until a family member was able to pull him safely out the water, but she lost her life in the process.

San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldredge says bystanders performing CPR were not able to save Russell on Tuesday.

Her co-workers at Denver law firm Wellborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley remembered her Friday as "superstar" attorney, marathon runner and mother.

Lake Powell is in Utah and Arizona.

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