Sensitive parts of the video have been redacted.
By Sharon Aron Baron
The emergency call came in around 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
A car went into a canal on Southgate Boulevard in Tamarac. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies from North Lauderdale were first to arrive on the scene. Without concern for their own safety, three deputies jumped into the cold canal water and rescued the driver of the car.
When deputies Alex Ferraro, Christopher Anca, and Sean Flynn arrived at the canal on Dec. 24, they saw that the vehicle was completely submerged.
Once they realized an individual was in the water, the deputies removed their duty gear and entered the water. The high temperature that day in Tamarac was just 54 degrees. The low was 45 degrees.
While swimming towards the vehicle, the deputies saw a woman rise to the surface and turn face down in the water. Deputies recovered the woman and brought her to the opposite side of the canal, where they immediately administered aid.
She survived.
“The three deputies who went into the water did what they are trained to do – risk their lives to try and save the life of a stranger. Their oath demands that they do so, and their actions reflect the commitment the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office provide to the community each and every day,” said Sheriff Gregory Tony.
Investigators believe that the woman in the vehicle intentionally drove into the water during a suicide attempt. Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Rescue responded and transported the woman to a nearby medical facility, where she received treatment.
The public is reminded of the importance of being aware of the warning signs of suicide and providing support to those in need. Resources are available through 2-1-1 Broward and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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