Two 18-year-old women experienced a harrowing ordeal in St. Augustine, Florida, when their car plunged into a 20-foot-deep pond early on November 30. A dramatic rescue by St. Johns County deputies was captured on body-worn camera footage and shared widely on social media on December 4.
The incident began around 5 a.m. when the pair accidentally drove into the pond, located in northeast Florida, about 40 miles south of Jacksonville. Panicked and with water quickly filling their vehicle, the young women made a desperate 911 call.
“Please hurry up, there’s water coming in the car,” one of the women pleaded with the emergency operator.
Within moments of the crash, the front of their white car had begun to sink into the water, leaving only the rear visible above the surface when first responders arrived. Deputies on the scene quickly assessed the situation and instructed the women to unbuckle their seatbelts and climb out of the vehicle’s windows.
As the women attempted to follow these instructions, the car suddenly tipped forward, completely submerging in the pond. One of the women managed to cling to the back wheel just before the vehicle sank to the bottom, but it became clear that swift action was needed.
Adding to the tension, one of the women revealed she could not swim, complicating the rescue effort. Without hesitation, Deputy Jayde Glines entered the water to assist.
Deputy Glines’s actions were pivotal in bringing both women to safety. Braving the cold and murky water, she helped guide the women to the bank of the pond, ensuring they were out of danger.
The women, though shaken, were transported to a local hospital as a precaution. Fortunately, neither suffered serious injuries during the terrifying incident.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office praised the quick thinking and bravery of the deputies involved. The body-worn camera footage, shared online, offers a glimpse into the perilous situation and the decisive actions that saved two lives.
The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with vehicles entering deep water. Experts advise drivers and passengers in such situations to act quickly:
- Stay calm and assess the situation.
- Unbuckle seatbelts immediately.
- Roll down or break windows to escape.
- Exit the vehicle as swiftly as possible.
Delays can be deadly, as vehicles often sink faster than anticipated, particularly when the front end is heavier, as was the case here.
The footage of the rescue has garnered widespread attention, with many expressing gratitude for the deputies’ heroism.
“This is exactly why we are so proud of our first responders,” one commenter wrote on the sheriff’s office Facebook post. “They risk their own safety to save others.”
Others noted the importance of teaching water safety and emergency escape procedures, particularly in areas like Florida, where bodies of water are common.
Following the rescue, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that crews later retrieved the submerged vehicle from the pond. The exact circumstances leading to the crash remain unclear, but no foul play is suspected.
The young women are expected to make a full recovery and will likely never forget the deputies’ life-saving intervention.
This dramatic rescue highlights not only the skill and dedication of law enforcement but also the unpredictable dangers that can arise on the road. The quick response of Deputy Glines and her colleagues turned what could have been a tragic outcome into a story of survival and bravery.
As the video continues to circulate online, it serves as a powerful reminder of the life-saving role first responders play in communities across the country.
