Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and an off-duty fire captain pulled an elderly woman from a sinking vehicle in a Pompano Beach canal just seconds before the car went under, according to TAPinto Pompano Beach.

TAPinto reported that BSO released body-worn camera video from the rescue, which happened around 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 1, near a shopping plaza in the 2600 block of South Palm Aire Drive.

According to the report, the incident began when the woman’s vehicle crashed through a fence and went into the canal. BSO deputies, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue and an off-duty Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue captain responded.

The newly released footage identified by TAPinto shows BSO Det. Robert Rutkowski, BSO Dep. Zachary Kerin and off-duty Fort Lauderdale Fire Captain Keith Costa entering the canal as the vehicle took on water.

TAPinto reported that Kerin shattered the passenger-side window before the responders pulled the trapped driver from the vehicle. Deputies on shore helped bring the rescuers and the driver back to land.

“The body worn camera shows an incredible rescue,” Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said, according to TAPinto. “It shows the difference between how tragedy and survival was measured in just seconds. The driver is alive today because of their quick actions.”

The woman was the only person in the vehicle, was taken by stretcher to a nearby ambulance and is expected to recover, the report said. One deputy sustained minor injuries during the rescue operation.

The BSO Dive Team remained at the scene that afternoon to help coordinate removal of the vehicle from the canal. TAPinto reported that the cause of the crash remained under investigation.

ThinBlueNews is not naming the driver because the public report centered on the rescue and did not identify her. The story is being reported from the local source article and the BSO video link embedded there.

Sources

ThinBlueNews will update this story if BSO releases additional official details.