MARGATE, Fla. – A Coral Springs police officer jumped into action after seeing a car sinking in a canal.
It happened on Thursday near the intersection of West Sample Road and Riverside Drive in nearby Margate.
The car was sinking quickly and Officer Christopher Moss didn’t think twice about jumping into the water.
“I could hear the two occupants in the vehicle banging on the glass and yelling for help,” Moss said.
He swam over to the car and found two people trapped inside.
“I was able to shatter the driver’s side front and rear window, I located the two people inside the vehicle, at which point I was able to get the rear door open,” he said.
One of the people inside the car then got themselves to safety. The other — in a panic — told Moss he didn’t know how to swim.
“The biggest concern was possibly the individual who didn’t know how to swim, possibly drowning myself,” said Moss. “But in that moment, you have to make a decision, and I told him to trust me and that I would get him to safety.”
Police said the car plunged into the canal after the driver had a medical episode causing him to accelerate forward.
Moss is being praised for his quick thinking, which likely saved two lives.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the actions of Officer Moss and the other officers on scene and the fire department that was also there,” said Coral Springs Police Chief Bradley McKeone.
Authorities said the people inside the car did not suffer any serious injuries.