Jamie Zimmerman, who was a reporter and doctor for ABC News' medical unit, has unexpectedly passed away in a freak accident. She drowned on Monday while on vacation in Hawaii, according to Variety. She was just 31 years old. Her mother, Jordan Zimmerman, confirmed the news on Facebook.
"This is a post I never thought I would have to write. It is not supposed to happen this way!" she wrote, explaining that Jamie had slipped on some rocks near the Lumahai River in Kauai and was then "swept out to sea." By the time the lifeguards and paramedics had gotten to her, it was already too late. Jordan Zimmerman continued on to explain all the amazing things Jamie had achieved in life, had done for other people and how she was not just her daughter, but her best friend.
"I hope my baby girl's life will inspire you to take action to make our world better. It can be as little as sharing a smile or kind word or as big as your imagination and effort will allow. This is Jamie's legacy. When you act upon this challenge, Jamie's smile will light up in the heavens. I am sure of it!" she wrote. "Sweet dreams, my darling daughter, my sweet pea, my role model, my pride and joy! I will love you forever!! As I repeatedly told you, I was thrilled that you lived life to the fullest. Always know that I will miss you every second, minute, and hour of every day. Until we meet again, my precious one!"
"The area where Jamie is believed to have lost her footing is right at the river mouth at Lumahai Beach," Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said in an email, according to Yahoo News. The incident took place around 4 p.m. and a witness called police to the scene once he or she realized Jamie was being swept away. The lifeguards who rushed to the scene were on Jet Skis and said that she was unresponsive in the water and about 200 yards away by the time they got to her. Lifeguards administered CPR once they got Jamie's body on shore. She was eventually brought to Wilcox Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
ABC News President James Goldston told his staff in a note on Thursday all about Jamie's unfortunate fall. She was someone who had contributed greatly to research in their medical unit, as well as someone who offered meditation sessions for the entire ABC News staff in New York.
Jamie was known for living life to the fullest and had a list of accomplishments. She had helped Congolese refugees in Zambia and made a documentary on it; she had volunteered in a hospital in India; she helped build classrooms in Uganda; she worked with indigenous people in Peru, and even served as a United Nations Global Health representative in Haiti.
Posted by Jamie Zimmerman, M.D. on Monday, October 12, 2015
