MARIN COUNTY, Calif. — A Marin County sheriff’s deputy rescued a driver from a submerged vehicle as heavy rain flooded roads, NBC Bay Area reported.
The rescue, captured on body camera footage, took place on Feb. 4. According to the sheriff’s office, the driver lost control after hitting a large puddle and crashed into a rising creek.
Trapped inside the vehicle, which was rapidly filling with water, the driver was unable to open the doors or windows but managed to call 911.
Deputy Mike Dawson arrived within minutes and immediately entered the creek, video shows.
“Are you in there? Where are you at, in the back?” Dawson can be heard saying as he waded into the water, which appeared to have a strong current.
The vehicle was nearly submerged, with only the trunk still visible. Dawson broke the rear window, asking the driver to crawl out of the back. The driver appeared uncertain they would be able to make it to the broken window.
Dawson then introduced himself to the driver and encouraged her as she tried to climb out.
“You’re doing good,” Dawson said as the driver worked to crawl through a tight space.
As the car continued to sink lower into the water, Dawson pulled the driver out of the vehicle to safety. Shortly after the rescue, the car was fully underwater, video shows.
“The entire incident lasts just minutes, showing how significant storm activity can be,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a post on social media. “We are thankful for the positive outcome during this incident and want to remind everyone to slow down in inclement weather and DO NOT drive through standing water on the road.”
