Global Courant
A Florida sheriff’s deputy risked his life to rescue a man trapped in floodwaters, which saw both men sucked underwater into a drain pipe and grabbed video shows.
Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth and the citizen in distress were carried nearly 100 feet underwater under a four-lane highway before resurfacing on the other side, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Escambia County has been plagued by severe weather and torrential downpours for several days, peaking early Friday morning.
Hollingsworth was on patrol to help stranded motorists who became trapped in rapidly rising waters, the sheriff’s office said. While on patrol, the deputy came across a man with an invalid vehicle.
MAN FALLS OVER 4,000 FEET FROM GRAND CANYON SKYWALK TO HIS DEATH
Escambia County Deputy Sheriff William Hollingsworth was on patrol assisting stranded motorists on Friday morning, June 16, 2023. Hollingsworth stopped to help a man stranded on the side of Highway 98. (Esambia County Sheriff’s Office)
Body camera footage captured the terrifying moment when Hollingsworth was caught mid-rescue by the floodwaters and dragged underwater through a drainpipe on the side of the road.
For nearly 30 seconds, roaring water drowns out all other sound as Hollingsworth appears to tumble through the darkness. Miraculously, he and the man in distress resurfaced on the other side of the highway, where the drain line had an outlet.
Video shows Hollingsworth immediately rushed to the aid of the other man as soon as he was able. ‘Are you okay, friend? Can you believe what just happened to us?’ exclaims the astonished and terrified deputy.
He tells the man to breathe and helps him to his feet. “I almost died,” says the shocked citizen.
CAR Caught in FLASH FLOOD? FOLLOW THESE 3 SURVIVAL TIPS
A screenshot taken from body camera video shows the flooded area off Highway 95 where Deputy Hollingsworth and the man were sucked down a drainpipe. (Esambia County Sheriff’s Office)
Hollingsworth was able to get the man to safety and called other police officers for help. The man in distress thanked the police profusely.
“When I came out you were there,” he tells Hollingsworth.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the footage exemplifies the “exceptional courage shown by the men and women of law enforcement every day.”
Many Facebook users reacted to the statement from the sheriff’s office, praising the deputy sheriff’s bravery and thanking the police for risking their lives to protect the citizens.
FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS TERRORISED BY MASKED STRANGERS IN NEW ‘VERY EVIL PRANK’
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies assist a man rescued from flooding on Friday, June 16, 2023. The civilian and a deputy sheriff were both sucked into a drain line during a rescue attempt. (Esambia County Sheriff’s Office)
“This is an extraordinary display of courage,” one user wrote. “From one law enforcement officer to another, you are the exemplar of what it means to protect and serve… I salute you.”
“God bless this officer and the man he saved. Thank you Deputy Sheriff Hollingsworth for being such a selfless man that you are,” another user wrote.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
There were at least 349 rescues from flooding in Escambia County overnight Thursday to Thursday, local station WEAR reported. Escambia County deputies rescued 269 people from flooding at the Forest Creek apartment complex in West Pensacola.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
