Dramatic Car Rescue
Florida First Responders Rescue Elderly Woman from Sinking Car in Pompano Beach
A Florida woman is alive today because two first responders reached her car with just seconds to spare. On May 1, an elderly driver's vehicle plunged into a canal near a Pompano Beach shopping plaza — and nearly took her down with it. KKTV reported that the entire rescue was captured on body-worn cameras.
Detective Robert Rutkowski and Deputy Zachary Kerin of the Broward Sheriff's Office pulled the woman to safety moments before the car vanished beneath the surface. Authorities have since praised the two men, calling the rescue a powerful reminder of how fast first responders can make the difference between life and death.
Car Plunges Into Canal Near Busy Shopping Plaza
The incident happened on May 1 in Pompano Beach, Florida. An elderly woman drove her car into a canal located near a local shopping plaza, according to WOWT. The details of how the car ended up in the water have not been fully released. But what happened next unfolded in a matter of seconds.
The car began to sink almost immediately after it hit the water. Time was running out fast. Every second counted as the vehicle dropped deeper below the surface. The woman was still inside.
Two Deputies Reach Her Just Before Car Disappears
Detective Robert Rutkowski and Deputy Zachary Kerin were the first to arrive on scene. According to WALB, the two officers got to the woman and pulled her out just before the car fully submerged. The body-worn camera footage shows how razor-thin the margin was.
The car sank shortly after they reached shore with the woman. Had the deputies arrived even moments later, the outcome could have been fatal. KWTX noted the rescue stands as a dramatic example of split-second decision-making under pressure.
Body Camera Footage Captures the Rescue on Film
The rescue was recorded on the officers' body-worn cameras. KKTV reported that the footage shows the full sequence of events — from the car in the water to the woman being brought to safety. The video makes clear just how little time there was to act.
Body cameras have become a key tool for law enforcement in documenting critical moments. In this case, the footage also serves as a record of a life saved. Officials say it shows exactly why rapid response matters in water emergencies.
Broward Sheriff's Office Praises Officers' Quick Response
The Broward Sheriff's Office praised both Detective Rutkowski and Deputy Kerin for their actions. According to Cleveland 19, authorities called the rescue a powerful reminder of how quickly first responders can save lives. The woman's survival was directly tied to how fast the two men moved.
Water rescues are among the most time-sensitive emergencies first responders face. A car can sink in under a minute. In this case, the system worked — the right people arrived at the right moment, and an elderly woman went home alive.
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