On Sunday, October 22, a tragic incident occurred at the Harbourside Place fountain in Jupiter, Florida. As originally reported by WPBF, Nate Davenport, a father of four, was electrocuted while trying to save his two children from electrical shock.
Davenport, 45, was rushed to Jupiter Medical Center where he died, never having regained consciousness.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the fountain area of the outdoor eating and shopping center. The fountain had been closed for maintenance, but it was not clear why it was still electrified. The cause of the electrical shock is still under investigation.
Nate Davenport was not only a hero who sacrificed his life to save his children, he was a beloved member of the Jupiter community and a former Navy fighter pilot who served his country with distinction. His death is a tragic loss for his family, friends, and the nation.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public fountains and the need for proper maintenance and safety checks. Harbourside Place has released a statement saying that all of the fountains throughout Harbourside Place are maintained by a third-party professional on a regular basis.
The Harbourside Place fountain has been closed since the incident, and the owners have promised to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that it is safe for the public.
Many reports since the tragedy indicate that the fountain had "No Climbing" and "No Swimming" signs, but this was clearly insufficient, given that Davenport’s young children, who survived electrocution, were able to enter the area.
Jupiter town officials are collaborating with Harbourside Place and Florida Power & Light Co. to examine the incident. FPL has chosen not to disclose details about the electrical issue, citing an ongoing investigation.