Mother dies in lake after saving 2-year-old son from drowning

A 35-year-old mother died, saving her 2-year-old son from drowning in Lake Powell in Utah.

Chelsey Russell and her son were on a houseboat on Lake Powell when her 2-year-old son went overboard, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

Russell jumped into the water the save the child, neither were wearing life jackets according to the police.

According to police, a "significant distance" developed between the Russells and the houseboat.

The heroic mother was able to hold her son above water until a family member was able to untied a smaller boat and reach Russell in her son. When the family member reached Russell, the child began to cry, but Russell was still unconscious.

Photo courtesy Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley Attorneys at Law.

"She was still, for whatever reason, able to keep the baby on her chest, whether conscious or unconscious," San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldredge said.

CPR was performed on Russell, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at Hall's Crossing Marina.

Russell worked as an associate at the law firm, Welborn, Sullivan, Meck & Tooley.

The firm posted a statement to its website:

"Chelsey was an amazing mother, an exceptional legal talent, an extraordinary athlete, a loyal and generous friend, and left us all better for knowing her. She is sorely missed."