Search turns to recovery effort in South Jersey for woman who helped save child in Delaware River

DELRAN, N.J. -- A recovery effort is now underway along the Delaware River in Burlington County, New Jersey, Tuesday after a woman went missing in the water.

Officials said she never resurfaced after pushing a girl toward safety who was struggling in the current.

Her husband told ABC Philadelphia affiliate WPVI that Tuesday is her 34th birthday.

He wants people to know his wife was "an evangelical and a heroine who gave her own life to save a child."

Officials have not yet released her name but said she went missing around 4 p.m. on Monday at Amico Island Park.

Officials said the woman managed to push the girl toward the shore where other people pulled the child to safety, but the woman went under and did not resurface.

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The missing woman's husband said the girl his wife saved is 9 years old and is a family member.

Crews spent hours searching along the rocks of the shoreline of the wooded park on Monday.

It's lined with hiking trails and has picnic areas, but is not a place that is known for swimming.

The undercurrent is known to be strong in the area, where the Delaware River meets the Rancocas Creek.

There have been several tragedies near the area on the Philadelphia and South Jersey sides of the river.

Officials say crews are following the tide as it comes back in, utilizing several drones to continue this search and recovery operation.