POMPANO BEACH, Fla. \u2014 A race against the clock unfolded in a canal in Pompano Beach as a car began to submerge with an elderly woman trapped inside.<\/p>\n
Sirens could be heard as responders rushed in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a matter of seconds before the vehicle was underwater,\u201d said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Capt. Kevin Costa, who was off duty at the time but responded after hearing the call.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard a call come in and turned on the lights in my vehicle and followed them to the call,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n
Costa, a diver with 14 years at Fire Rescue, joined two Broward County deputies, jumping into action as the vehicle sank in the canal.<\/p>\n
\u201cBroke the window and we were able to get the woman out of the vehicle, swam her back to shore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The chaotic scene unfolded around 10:30 a.m. in the 2600 block of Southwest Palm Aire Drive, according to the Broward County Sheriff\u2019s Office. Costa said the elderly driver was still buckled in as the car was going under.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t want to risk the chance of opening the door and her not being able to get out in time,\u201c Costa said. \u201dSo the best option there was to make sure that we broke the window and we had her unclip her seatbelt and then we assisted her through that open window.”<\/p>\n
Authorities said no one else was inside the vehicle.<\/p>\n
The vehicle was eventually pulled from the water — a situation that could have ended much differently if not for the quick actions of first responders.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs firefighters, whether we\u2019re on duty or off duty, we act and there\u2019s a level of pride all of us carry,\u201d Costa said \u201cWe want to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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