UPDATE: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said both Eric Smart and his son Derrick Smart were found deceased after they were swept away by high tide at Ft. George Inlet on Saturday.
Eric Smart was found at about 10 p.m. Saturday, and crews located the body of Derrick Smart on Sunday morning.
Derrick Smart's grandmother tells me the 7-year-old loved the water and was a good swimmer. She says Derrick was in his father's arms when the tide swept them both away. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews https://t.co/AyhTFPb65E
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) October 14, 2018
The boy's grandmother says that Derrick was a good swimmer who loved the water. She is asking the community for prayers for her family. She said that Derrick was her daughter's only child.
Family says Derrick Smart, student @ Twin Lakes Academy, was fishing w/ his father, a Navy member, when they were swept away.@ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/s9ytyfRHUt
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) October 14, 2018
PHOTOS: Father, son drown in high tides near Heckscher Drive in Jacksonville
Family said crews searched for about an hour Sunday before recovering the little boy’s body
This was the scene of Heckscher Dr. Saturday as crews searched for the body of a little boy who was swept away by the tide. JSO says he father's body has already been recovered. pic.twitter.com/Yfaoth4cOP
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) October 14, 2018
#AnJaxBreaking: Family members tell me crews have recovered the body of the little boy swept into the water yesterday near Ft. George Inlet. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews https://t.co/RZKTs1Bhf8
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) October 14, 2018
At 4:26 p.m. police were called to the Nassau Sound Bridge. Officials said a father and his son were fishing when the tide swept them into the water.
Police said the two were last seen in the water by a witness, the witness said the father was holding his son, trying to swim back to shore.
A spokesperson with JSO said, "...at this time unfortunately we're calling it a recovery."
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department initially confirmed that crews are searching for two people in the water off 11000 Heckscher Drive.
Jet skis, boats and a helicopter were used by emergency crews searching the water.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also assisted in search efforts.
JSO update on search for two people in water off Heckscher DriveJSO update on search for two people in water off Heckscher Drive
Posted by Action News Jax on Saturday, October 13, 2018
RIGHT NOW: Emergency crews are searching the water off Heckscher Drive. A man tells me a man and his son were taken away by a current near the bridge @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Px5X8bCs2l
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) October 13, 2018
Emergency crews are on both sides of this bridge off Heckscher. Helicopter is making passes up and down the water @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/eOIUnSzap3
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) October 13, 2018
Jet skis and boats in the water on the southside of the bridge @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/1TV1hEMyOY
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) October 13, 2018
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