A good Samaritan who jumped into action after a pick-up truck barreled through a fence and crashed into the water at a Miami marina spoke to NBC6 about the moment he knew he had to help the people trapped inside.
Officials said it happened Monday afternoon at Miami River Point Marina on Northwest 18th Terrace. Cellphone video shows the aftermath and the vehicle, a City of Miami waste management truck, pulled out of the water.
Incredibly, the two women who a witness described were trapped inside because of the airbags, survived, thanks to Rafael Valdez.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, has been charged with careless driving, Miami police said Wednesday.
More information about the cause of the crash was not immediately provided.
‘I heard a woman call for help’
Even with a deep cut above his right ankle, Valdez said he has no regrets about jumping into action to help save the two workers.
“I feel good, like I told the men there. I feel good that I got there on time and the two women got out safely,” he said in Spanish.
He said he heard the crash followed by screams for help, and knew he had to act fast.
Surveillance video shows the work truck barreling through the fence, knocking down a tree, then hitting a boat before it crashed into the water.
“Like everyone else, I went to see what happened, but no one reacted,” he said. “I heard a woman call for help and that’s when I went in.”
Video shows how Valdez helped pull the driver out of the truck through the window.
New footage also captured the aftermath of the rescue. At one point, you can see divers in the water as the truck is being removed from the water.
Even with his act of bravery, Valdez said he doesn’t consider himself a hero.
“No. I think anyone in that situation would’ve helped. It depends on the reaction the person has in that moment,” he said. “I think other people would’ve helped. It’s two lives, it’s two people that could’ve drowned.”
In a statement, the City of Miami said: “Thanks to the quick and courageous actions of private citizens who immediately responded and entered the water to assist, both individuals were safely rescued. Our thoughts are with the employees. We are grateful they were safely pulled from the water without suffering any injury.”