After driving past a truck stuck in a lake, two good Samaritans made a daring rescue — jumping into the water and pulling the driver out from the sinking vehicle.
Two complete strangers worked together to rescue a drowning man on Saturday who was unsuccessfully trying to escape his sinking vehicle through the small back window.
Ariana Ebert was driving to her job in Brevard County, Florida, when she noticed a truck that had run off the road into the Indian River Lagoon. She quickly leapt into action to help, jumping into the water to rescue the driver, who was only identified by the media with the first name Gerald.
“Pretty much in my mid-jump, I saw Gerald come out of the small back window of his truck… just his arms and his head, and the truck went down and sunk with him in it,” Ebert later told the media.
She was joined by another good Samaritan, Don Cobb, and the pair worked together to hold Gerald’s head above the water while trying to pull him from the sinking truck.
“He was blue and purple. At that point, we had him about halfway out. But he was caught on his belt,” Ebert explained. “At one point, Don was like pray. We looked at each other and just thought this outcome was not going to be the best.”
Amid their efforts to rescue Gerald, a Brevard County Sheriff’s deputy drove up and joined the rescue.
“When the deputy got there, he was able to grab Gerald’s head and hold it above water somewhat, and I just dove under the water and pulled with every ounce of strength I had left in myself,” said Ebert.
Working together, all three of the good Samaritans were able to rescue Gerald and bring him to shore, where he received CPR.
After bringing flowers to Gerald’s hospital room on Sunday, Ebert spoke with the media about the shocking incident — giving thanks to God for giving her the strength to help Gerald.
“It’s definitely out of my nature to jump into any sort of body of water besides the pool,” she said. “All I can say is that I believe that God gave me the strength to overcome my fears that day because he needed to use me to save somebody’s life.”
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has since published a post on Facebook thanking the pair of good Samaritans for their heroic actions.
“This morning was one of those days that shows just how incredible our community truly is!! Our communications center received multiple 911 calls regarding a vehicle that hit the center median on the Pineda Causeway and then crossed over crashing through the guardrail and ultimately landing in the water,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey in a Facebook post.
“There are not enough words on days like today that explain the immense emotions one feels about just how great this community is!! Our Deputies are trained to jump into action in emergency situations, and we would never ask citizens to put their own lives at risk, but to see them selflessly try to save someone in a truly scary situation, shows the kind of people that make up Brevard County,” he added.
“I say it all of the time because I truly believe it is representative of our amazing home, it takes a community to protect a community, and today this saying rang more true than ever,” he continued. “Thank you will never be enough to Ariana and Don for the help they provided to this man, but please join me in making them feel the appreciation they deserve!!”
A fundraiser has been scheduled for October 13 at the Cadillac Cove restaurant in nearby Satellite Beach to raise money for Gerald’s hospital bills.
“Sadly, he doesn’t have health insurance, and he’s struggling with mounting medical bills and other expenses related to the crash,” Ebert wrote in a Facebook post, adding that she plans to set up an online fundraiser as well.
