When floodwaters turned a Florida road into a rushing canal on Monday morning, a quick‑acting police officer became the difference between life and death for two occupants of a sinking van.
Rapid call for help
Maria Andrade was returning from a doctor’s appointment when the rising water forced her van into a narrow canal. The driver managed to dial 911, and the emergency center dispatched officers within minutes.
Officer arrives in under two minutes
Body‑camera footage released by the department shows the officer pulling up to the scene in less than two minutes after the call. Without hesitation, he entered the water, first extracting the driver from the vehicle.
Rescue of the trapped passenger
With assistance from nearby firefighters, the officer then turned his attention to Andrade, who was trapped in the back seat. Andrade, a Spanish‑speaking resident, could not release her seat belt as the van filled with water. Her son, Raul Morales, relayed her account, describing how the rain was so intense that the road was invisible and the water gushed into the vehicle.
“She said it was raining really, really hard. She couldn’t even see the road. It was just water,” Morales said. “She could hear the water just gushing in there, and she was like, ‘That’s what pretty much told me, uh‑oh. I’m in trouble.'”
Team effort saves the day
The driver reported that the only viable way to free Andrade was through the rear of the van. One rescuer entered the vehicle, pushing while others pulled from outside, ultimately extracting her safely.
Morales expressed deep gratitude for the first‑responders’ swift action. “She wants to thank the first responders for being really, really on top of it. She realized how quick they were about it and made her feel better about her situation,” he said. “Thank you for helping her out and for being there for her. It’s just … there’s no words for it.”
Community appreciation
The incident underscores the vital role local law enforcement and fire services play in protecting residents during extreme weather events. As Florida continues to face heavy rains and flooding, the dedication of these public‑safety professionals remains a cornerstone of community resilience.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
