On Friday, a Florida lawmaker was submerged in a storm drain while rescuing a drowning man.
Footage shows Lieutenant William Hollingsworth being dragged under floodwaters as he tried to help a stranded motorist. according to to the New York Post.
The man and the Escambia County deputy were lucky to survive after spending more than 30 seconds in the water after being sucked into a storm drain Thursday night during a storm. @yonagavinoTV According to people involved, the man is grateful to his lieutenant for saving his life. — https://t.co/OmOZjHMOt8 pic.twitter.com/08OjVArh3s
— WEAR ABC3 (@weartv) June 17, 2023
An Escambia County deputy was dragged into a storm sewer 100 feet below the surface and nearly drowned. The agent and the stranded driver, identified as David, emerged from the opposite side of the Pensacola road after submerging in rough water for about 30 seconds, the paper reported.
body camera video An article posted on the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page highlights heavy rains and flooding of Route 98 during the incident. The Panhandle was hit by a thunderstorm and a tornado, according to the New York Post.
“I found it! Oh, I got it!” Hollingsworth said to David when they surfaced again. “David, can you believe what just happened to us? Oh my God. Thank you, Jesus.” (Related: Truck driver rescued from crocodile-infested waters in Kenya after sudden flash flood)
“I almost died,” David said.
They hugged each other and agreed that they had never held their breath so much in their lives.
“I am alive!” said David.
After apologizing to David out of guilt for telling him to cross the flood, the lieutenant advised him not to leave lest he be sucked into the water again.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the two were lucky to be alive. according to To WEAR News ABC3.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Deputy Hollingsworth displayed extraordinary courage and exemplified what men and women in law enforcement demonstrate every day, the newspaper reported.
