MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Multiple people were saved in separate incidents after vehicles plunged into waterways in Martin County recently.
The first incident involved a good Samaritan rescuing a pregnant woman from a vehicle that plunged into a waterway along Interstate 95 last week.
According to Martin County Fire Rescue, this happened just before 8 a.m. Friday near the 112-mile marker on Interstate 95.
A vehicle left the roadway and became fully submerged in a pond near the weigh station.
Officials said as the car began to sink, a good Samaritan who witnessed the crash immediately jumped into action.
"We were told the witness swam roughly 30 feet from the shore to reach the vehicle. He was able to reach the driver, whom he recognized was pregnant, and open the door. Thankfully, he successfully pulled her to safety before the car was completely lost under the water," according to a Facebook post on the Martin County Fire Rescue page.
Crews arrived and took the driver to a local trauma center with serious injuries.
A fire rescue dive team entered the water to conduct a secondary search of the vehicle and assist with recovery operations.
"We are incredibly grateful for the bravery shown by this citizen. His quick decision to swim out and reach the driver undoubtedly changed the outcome of this incident," fire rescue said.
Family Rescued from Canal
In a separate incident, a family was rescued from a canal in Indiantown.
Martin County Fire Rescue said just after 3 p.m. Sunday, a Jeep overturned at the intersection of Southwest Minute Maid & Southwest Allapattah roads.
Officials said three young children were successfully removed from the water with minor injuries.
Also, an adult was found trapped inside the vehicle but was successfully extricated. The adult was taken as a trauma alert with serious injuries.
All of the victims were taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce for treatment.
Fire Rescue said the Martin County Sheriff's Office helped provide "immediate life-saving actions" at the scene.
