Bertie Beach Drowning
A sunny Tuesday evening turned devastating when a mother and her teenage son tragically drowned in the Chowan River at Bertie Beach, in North Carolina, despite desperate efforts from family, first responders, and bystanders.
Emergency Response to a Heartbreaking Scene
At approximately 5:40 p.m. on July 8, 2025, emergency crews rushed to the popular Bertie Beach swimming area near the Chowan River/Albemarle Sound after receiving reports of a possible drowning.
When they arrived, they found an 11-year-old girl—frantic but alive—who had been rescued by bystanders. Her mother, Shaunna Jernigan, 35, and older brother, Timothy Jernigan, 14, had both gone under.
How It Happened: A Heroic Attempt Ends in Tragedy
According to the young girl, she and her mother had been floating on an inflatable device while Timothy was swimming nearby. When Timothy ventured into deeper waters and began to struggle, Shaunna acted on instinct and jumped in to save her son.
Both soon found themselves in distress, unable to make it back to shore. Despite rapid rescue attempts by the Merry Hill Fire Chief, an off-duty EMS worker, and others, both Shaunna and Timothy were eventually pulled from the water—approximately 150 yards from shore—and pronounced dead at the scene.
A Survivor, A Community Shaken
The Jernigans were a local family from Colerain, just outside Merry Hill in Bertie County. Shaunna reportedly worked for BAS, a non-emergency medical transportation company, and was known for her dedication and kindness.
Their surviving daughter, now left without both her mother and brother, is being supported by family and community members during this unimaginable loss.
