A heartbroken mother who watched her best friend drown after jumping into the sea to save her son said it was the ‘worst thing ever’.
Marie Lloyd looked in on horror from the beach in Waxham after brave Danielle Chilvers, 37, of Swaffham, Norfolk, leapt into the water after her youngest boy got into trouble in a kayak on August 9.
It is thought Danielle, known as Dani to her friends, got caught in a rip current, and despite rescuers bringing her to shore, she was pronounced dead at hospital.
Marie has now launched a GoFundMe fundraising page to help provide for Dani’s two sons, both teenagers, who were her ‘absolute everything’.
Danielle Chilvers, 37, of Swaffham, Norfolk, pictured, died after leaping into the water after her youngest boy got into trouble in a kayak
Marie Lloyd, left, who was friends with Dani for 13 years, said witnessing the tragic accident was ‘the worst thing ever’
Speaking to FEMAIL, Marie said: ‘I was with Dani the day of the accident. It was the worst thing ever.
‘I never ever thought I would be doing this, I am heartbroken. She was an amazing person and will be missed by so, so many people. She loved her two boys, they were her everything.’
Marie told how she met Dani around 13 years ago, when their eldest children started reception class at school.
‘We instantly clicked, I knew we were going to be friends,’ she recalled. ‘Dani worked at the local high school, she had done for about 11 years.
Marie has now launched a GoFundMe fundraising page to help provide for Dani’s two sons (pictured with her), both teenagers, who were her ‘absolute everything’
‘She loved to help the children do their best and would do much more than expected to make them get the best results. All the children thought the world of her. She was always smiling and was so approachable.’
Marie said Dani loved the summer, especially camping and going to the beach.
The tragedy took place at about 5.30pm, while the beach was packed with sun-lovers on one of the hottest days of the year.
When her 14-year-old son and his friend got into difficulty in a kayak, Dani rushed into the sea.
Marie said Dani loved the summer, especially camping and going to the beach. The tragedy took place at about 5.30pm, while the beach was packed with sun-lovers on one of the hottest days of the year
Dani was pulled lifeless from the water after being caught out by the strong current at Waxham, Norfolk on August 9
Marie said: ‘Dani did what all of us parents would have done; her boy was in trouble, she went to help. But Dani got caught in a rip current and just like that she was gone.’
Emergency services including Coastguard teams, ambulances, local paramedics and a rescue helicopter were sent to the scene after HM Coastguard received ‘multiple calls’ about several people in the water who needed rescuing.
Dani was pulled from the sea and the boys in the kayak were brought safely back to shore by other holidaymakers who were described as ‘heroes’ by witnesses.
Horrified onlookers tried in vain to resuscitate Dani before paramedics took over, but it was too late.
The manager of Poplar Farm campsite, where Dani was staying, described the mother’s death as ‘an absolute tragedy’.
Marie, pictured with Dani and friends, said the brave mother was ‘a remarkable woman, loved by everyone’. She added: ‘Dani would help anyone, she was so happy with life, loved her job and her children were her absolute everything’
Kyle Reeve said: ‘This whole coastline is notorious for rip tides. We have signs up at the beach entrances warning of the risk.
‘The water moves at huge speed through gaps when channels appear between sandbanks. Most professional swimmers cannot out swim them.’
Another witness said: ‘We were there. It was horrific to watch. She wanted to save the two boys who had lost control of a sea kayak. She was next to me in the water, then went in head on [and] was caught in the rip.
‘I feel for the children and family who watched it all happen. We are traumatised ourselves, let alone the family. Wish there was some kind of life guard on the beaches at Waxham. It took too long for them to respond from Sea Palling.’
Marie told how Dani kept an allotment, which she described as her ‘happy place’. ‘It was the brightest and prettiest out of them all,’ she added. ‘Family and friends will keep it going for her’
The GoFundMe page to help raise money for Dani’s sons has already raised £4,060. Pictured: Dani’s allotment
A third onlooker posted on Facebook that Dani’s son was absolutely devastated. She wrote: ‘Poor lads were watching the whole thing and will be traumatised for life. I’m utterly devastated for them all and want to help as much as I can.
‘I never thought I’d see anything like that. Saw it from beginning to end. My friend who is a strong swimmer was in the exact same spot and managed to get out because she is a super strong swimmer.’
Dani’s mother was a single parent who passed away about a year-and-a-half ago, so her two sons are going back to live with their father.
Marie explained: ‘Dani left the family home with the boys about 10 years ago and moved into a rented house that she made their home.
‘She remained friends with the boys’ dad, and they will be going back to live with him. He is still in the original family home, but it needs work doing.
‘There are leaks that need fixing, it needs a new hot water tank, new carpets, new kitchen, completely re-decorating, the garden needs gutting and they need new fencing.
‘That’s why I set up the GoFundMe page; people wanted to help, knowing how much the work would cost, on top of the grief of losing someone you love. It’s awful.’
Marie told how Dani kept an allotment, which she described as her ‘happy place’.
‘It was the brightest and prettiest out of them all,’ she added. ‘Family and friends will keep it going for her.
‘Dani has always wanted the best for her children, and we will carry this on for her.’
The GoFundMe page has already raised £4,060 – to donate, click here.