Local

New nurse jumps into St. Johns River to rescue woman

A local nurse is being hailed as a hero after jumping into the St. Johns River on Wednesday to save someone.

Megan Zimmerly said she was taking an afternoon jog at the Riverwalk when she noticed an upset woman in the front of a railing.

She tried talking to the woman, but then the woman took off down a ramp and jumped into the river.

Zimmerly called police and when they showed up, they threw a rescue bag into the water. However, the woman wouldn't grab it, so Zimmerly jumped into action.

"I just wanted to get her to safety, do what we could for this woman. She was struggling in the water and as a nurse, it was my priority to make sure she was OK," Zimmerly said.

Authorities said the woman is in fair condition. Zimmerly said she just graduated from nursing school last week from Jacksonville University.

She just graduated from nursing school last week from Jacksonville University:

Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, October 5, 2017