Introduction
On Jan. 16, four good samaritans dove into the water behind Bubba’s Restaurant in Virginia Beach to rescue a woman trapped in a sinking SUV. The incident, captured on video by WAVY, ABC News, Good Morning America, and NBC News, ended with the woman and all rescuers safe and treated for minor injuries. The rescue highlighted the quick thinking and bravery of ordinary citizens in a life-threatening situation.
At a Glance
- Incident occurred on Jan. 16 in Virginia Beach.
- A single-vehicle crash at 1:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of Shore Drive.
- Four good samaritans rescued a woman from a sinking SUV; all were treated for minor injuries.
The Rescue
At around 1:15 p.m., a single-vehicle crash caused an SUV to tip and slowly descend into the water behind Bubba’s Restaurant. Virginia Beach Police were alerted to the incident and reported that the vehicle was already sinking when bystanders saw it. Four good samaritans, who were on a nearby dock and one person eating at the restaurant, jumped into the water to break into the vehicle.
- Attempted to break the glass and door.
- One rescuer climbed to the back and forced entry.
- The woman was found in the driver’s seat, unable to unlock the door.
- The rescuers lifted her out as the car submerged.
- All four men were rescued and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Witnesses Describe the Scene
Dan Baker, manager of Bubba’s Restaurant, told WAVY that the car started to sink, and then two of these guys, these citizens, heroines, just lifted this person out of the water as the car was gone. He added, I mean, they just lifted this person out of the water. It was crazy. It was surreal. Jeremy Way, one of the rescuers, said, Just happened to be at the right place at the right time. He also explained, I’d already been taking my phone and my wallet, my knife out of my pocket, and once I confirmed there was a person, I just dove right in. Way described the woman’s frustration: I told her to ‘unlock it, unlock it’. And she was like, ‘No, I’m not unlocking it. I don’t want to be here,’ he recalled. He continued, The car was completely underwater. She finally came out, and I did what I’ve always been taught, some rescue swimmer techniques, threw her in a cross-chest carry, threw on my hip and swam towards the pylons. Way added, The other gentleman, I don’t know what he does or what he did, but he’s the real reason she’s there. He concluded, We’ve all been there and got her out of the water, got myself out of the water, out of the boat, rather, and that was it. EMS took care of her after that point. He also said, Everything happens for a reason, like mental health is no joke.
Police and Medical Response
Virginia Beach Police told WAVY that the woman and two of the good samaritans were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital. The car was recovered from the water later in the afternoon. Emergency medical services arrived on scene quickly and provided first aid before transporting the injured to the hospital.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:15 p.m. | Single-vehicle crash, SUV sinking |
| Later in the afternoon | Car recovered |
Community Reaction
Baker praised the rescuers, saying they were ‘citizens, heroines’ and that their quick action saved a life. The incident drew praise from local residents who called the rescuers ‘heroes’. The community’s reaction underscores the importance of quick response in emergency situations.
Key Takeaways
- Ordinary citizens can make a life-saving difference in emergencies.
- Quick action and teamwork are crucial when a vehicle is sinking.
- Police and medical services can respond rapidly when the community assists.
- The incident highlights the value of bystander preparedness and bravery.
