Unflinching Good Samaritans Dive In, Rescue Driver from Lake

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI — Police think a man who was fished from Lake St. Clair in a dramatic rescue about 10:35 a.m. Monday may have suffered a medical emergency that caused him to lose control of his vehicle, jump a median and cross two lanes of traffic before sliding into about 5 feet of water along Lake Shore Road near Winthrop.

Two good Samaritans who witnessed the accident quickly jumped in the water to rescue the man, whose Cadillac ATS sedan was sinking and about to become totally submerged. Three police officers also assisted in the rescue, Grosse Pointe Farms Police Lt. Richard Rosati told the Detroit Free Press.

The good Samaritans were landscapers who work for Backer Landscaping, Grosse Pointe Farms Police Lt. Andrew Rogers, the first police officer at the scene, told The Detroit News.

“They didn’t even think twice; they immediately jumped in the water,” Rogers said. “When I pulled up they were using a rock, trying to get the window smashed.”

Two other officers, Keith Colombo and Michael Scott, followed Rogers in the water in the frantic attempt to save the man. They eventually used a fire hatchet to break open a window.

The broken window and open door caused water to rush into the vehicle as the rescuers attempted to free the man. At one point, his legs became entangled in the steering wheel in the race against time.

“It was going down,” Rogers told The Detroit News. “The driver was totally unresponsive (until) the second the water his his chin.”

Rosati praised the officers and the good Samaritans for their unflinching decision to save the man.

“It was a harrowing moment there ... they did a phenomenal job,” Rosati told the Free Press.

Rogers said the driver was fortunate that his vehicle landed in a shallow area of the lake, where rescuers could stand. It’s unclear how long it took to rescue him.

“I’d say five to seven minutes; at least that’s what it seemed like,” Rogers told The Detroit News. “For all I know it could have been 30 seconds.”

The man, who is believed to be in his late 60s or early 70s, was revived slightly, but didn’t know what had happened or where he was, according to The Detroit News. He appeared to be OK and was taken to a local hospital for observation.

No other vehicles were hit by the out-of-control vehicle.

Image credit: Grosse Pointe Farms police