A West Palm Beach mother of three risked her own life Monday night to rescue a man whose vehicle had gone into a lake on flooded Willow Pond Road, according to WPBF 25 News.
Annmarie Sanchez said the road was so covered with water that it was impossible to tell where pavement ended and the lake began. Her daughter told her a vehicle was in the water, and Sanchez ran to help. She said many residents stood on the bank filming with their phones, but no one went in.
Sanchez said she did not know whether crocodiles or alligators were in the water. She swam to the car, which was fully submerged by the time she reached it, and found the driver struggling to stay afloat. She began pulling him toward shore, but she said she soon could not hold on. Video shows her calling for help. A woman then swam out to assist, and the two brought the man to shore.
On Thursday, the man, who introduced himself as Bill, came to Sanchez’s door. Home security video shows the two hugging. Sanchez said she hopes to stay in touch with him and is trying to find the woman who helped her so she can thank her.
