- Danny Sumner and his 6-year-old son, Donovan, both died during a fishing trip in Virginia, authorities said
- A video taken by Danny shows that Donovan had “just caught a fish” when the boy fell into the water, and his dad jumped in to save him, authorities tell PEOPLE
- The father and son were “inseparable,” according to their joint obituary
A dad and son drowned on a fishing trip in Virginia as authorities say the horrific incident was caught on the father’s camera.
Danny Sumner took his son, who was later identified as Donovan, to a local boat landing on the Rappahannock River in Spotsylvania County to fish at around 5 p.m. local time on March 22, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
When the two did not return, Danny’s wife called authorities at 9:45 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office. “Shortly after the divers entered the river, both victims were found.”
Major Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office tells PEOPLE that officials were called after the family and the couple’s pastor went to the scene to try and find them. She says that the pastor was the one who found Danny’s phone with the last video on it. He gave it to the deputies when they arrived on the scene.
Donovan had “just caught a fish” and his proud dad decided to film the moment, Scott says.
“He was celebrating, Mr. Sumner was videoing this on his cellphone,” she adds. “When the child stepped back and fell into the river, the cellphone was seen. It dropped to the dock and ultimately Mr. Sumner went in after his son and, unfortunately, both drowned.”
The sheriff’s office is still awaiting the medical examiner’s report, but “detectives have already determined that there was no foul play,” Scott says.
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In the wake of the tragedy, loved ones are mourning the father and son.
Danny, a 37-year-old educator, was known for his generosity, according to a GoFundMe created to support his wife, Madeline, and their surviving younger son, Danilo.
“A devout Christian, he exemplified how to live a Godly lifestyle no matter the setting,” the GoFundMe organizer wrote. Donovan was “a kind and gentle spirit” who enjoyed playing with his baby brother and had just learned how to ride a bike without training wheels.
According to the father and son’s joint obituary, the pair were “inseparable.”
“Absolutely heartbroken to hear about the tragic passing of my PVI classmate/locker mate Danny Sumner and his young son,” said a fellow classmate from Paul VI Catholic High School in a tribute that was shared on the class of 2006 alumni’s Facebook page.
Their post noted that Donovan was a “gentle giant” and a highly talented basketball player in both high school and college. (The dad attended William & Mary College in Williamsburg, which also posted a tribute.)
“I’ll never forget his humility, considerate nature and his ability to make us all cheer with genuine pride,” the classmate added. “Prayers to his family during this awful time.”
The father and son’s kindness was honored in their obituary, which noted that “their souls departed this world, together, as the Lord called them both home.”
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