ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An off-duty firefighter and several bystanders are being credited with saving the lives of a Florida family after their car plunged into a retention pond following a crash on Interstate 95.
Amber Ross, 38, was one of three people trapped inside the sinking vehicle. She says she thought she was going to die.
“When I woke up the air bag were inflating; we were sitting in a pond, and when I opened my eyes I saw was lilly pads on the car,” Ross said.
The crash occurred at mile marker 305 on I-95 South at State Road 206 in St. Johns County, Florida.
Crash sends family into retention pond
Ross and her family were leaving Davenport, Florida, headed out on a summer vacation when the unthinkable happened. The driver began coughing after drinking water and lost consciousness at the wheel.
“My daughter’s father was driving, he drunk some water, ended up coughing and passing out at the wheel,” Ross said.
Their vehicle struck a truck, and everyone inside blacked out. When the family came to, their car was already sinking.
Off-duty responder jumps into action
Among the witnesses at the scene was off-duty St. Johns County Fire and Rescue Engineer Charles Cook. Chris Naff, public information officer for St. Johns County Fire and Rescue, described what happened next.
“Ran across the interstate got to the retention pond, saw a vehicle, a sedan in the water, swam with the help of some citizens on scene, made access to the vehicle via a handy tool that punches out windows and also the doors were able to become open,” Naff said.
Ross, her daughter and her daughter’s father were all inside the car as water rushed in quickly. None of them knew how to swim.
“We said get our daughter out, and we will go from there,” Ross said.
Their 10-year-old daughter was pulled out first through the driver’s side window as the car continued to sink.
“Everything under the water is black, I can’t swim. They’re trying to get me out,” Ross said.
Ross was the last person rescued from the vehicle.
Family grateful, healing — and signing up for swim lessons
Ross and her family say they are recovering from minor cuts and scrapes. Once they are fully healed, the family plans to learn how to swim.
“Everybody who was there they are heaven sent. Like God’s angels. I dont know what I would do. I wouldnt be able to sit here and talk to you today if it wasnt for them jumping into action to make sure me and my family made it out,” Ross said.
What to do if your car sinks in water
Experts say preparation can mean the difference between life and death in a situation like this. Marine Rescue Lt. Jeremy Watkins outlined four key steps to follow if a vehicle enters the water.
First, unhook your seatbelt immediately. Second, open your window — electric windows may still function briefly even after submersion, as the battery can remain operational for a short period. Third, if a child is in the vehicle, unhook them from their car seat so they are free to exit. Fourth, when it is time to exit, push the child out of the window first, then follow.
“Time is of the essence when we are in the water in a vehicle,” Watkins said.
When asked how much time occupants realistically have, Watkins said it depends on the situation.
“Statistically maybe two to three minutes max,” he said.
Experts also recommend keeping a car safety hammer in the vehicle. The tool is designed to break windows quickly, making it easier to escape if doors cannot be opened.