Deputies acted 'without hesitation' to save woman, Orange County Sheriff's Office says
Florida deputies rescue woman trapped in sinking vehicle
Deputies in Florida were praised for their bravery after diving into the pitch-black waters of a lake to rescue a woman who was trapped inside a sinking car that crashed earlier this month. (Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida)
Several deputies in Florida stripped off their gear and dove into the pitch-black waters of a lake to rescue a woman who was trapped inside a sinking car that crashed earlier this month.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office on Friday released an edited video featuring officer-worn bodycam footage as deputies raced to pull the woman from the fully submerged vehicle in the early hours of Aug. 8.
"When a vehicle crashed into a lake, our deputies responded swiftly, knowing every second counted," the sheriff's office said.
When deputies arrived, they found a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trapped woman. But soon the car began to sink with the woman still inside.
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Deputies observed the vehicle submerging and dove into the lake to rescue the trapped woman. (Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida)
"She can’t fit through the window," one deputy can be heard saying. "The vehicle is sinking completely now."
Without hesitation, deputies ripped off their bulletproof vests, dove into the dark waters and swam out to the middle of the lake where the car had disappeared beneath the surface, the video shows.
Deputies repeatedly went underwater to smash the windows of the car until they could pull the woman out, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies smashed the vehicle's windows underwater and pulled the woman out. (Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida)
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After pulling the woman out of the vehicle, deputies swam her back to shore. The woman did not suffer any significant injuries in the crash or subsequent rescue, according to officials.
Officials said the woman was brought to shore safely and did not suffer any injuries. (Orange County Sheriffs Office, Florida)
"This is the courage and dedication our deputies display every day to keep our community safe," the sheriff's office said.
It was unclear what caused the woman to crash into the lake.
