Chesco Officer Smashes Car Window To Rescue Drowning Driver

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A police officer is being praised for selfless heroism after he risked life and limb Monday to rescue a drowning motorist in Chester County.

The driver had crashed into the creek near the border of Kennett Square and Kennett Township at around 9:51 a.m. Monday.

When Officer Mark Todd arrived to the area, along the 700 block of W. Cypress Street, the vehicle was nearly fully submerged, police said. Only the rear of the vehicle was still floating, but it was rapidly sinking.

The individual inside the car was screaming for help from the back of the car as it rapidly filled with water.

Reacting quickly, Todd grabbed a piece of equipment — a tool normally used during commercial vehicle inspections — waded into the deep, chest-level water, and smashed in the back window, police said.

Todd then pulled the victim out safely, and they made their way back to shore.

"This is a true example of heroism at work here in Kennett Square Borough to save another human life," Kennett Square Chief William T. Holdsworth said in a statement. "We could not be more proud of the selfless acts demonstrated by Officer Todd without consideration of his own safety or wellbeing."

Both Todd and the driver were attended to at the scene by fire department personnel for evaluation and care.