DARTMOUTH, MASS. (WHDH) - Three officers are credited with saving the lives of two people who were trapped in a sinking car in Dartmouth Friday.
Officers Justin Amaral and Joseph Hilchey of Dartmouth and Officer Jeremy Dellecese of Westport were called to the scene at Lake Noquochoke around 10:30 p.m. and upon their arrival, found a 2016 Ford Focus submerged in about seven feet of water, according to the department.
After removing their gear, the three men swam about 100 feet out to the car to help the 21-year-old driver and his passenger out of the car.
“The water was bone-chillingly cold,” Hilchey said. “It almost took the breath out of me just jumping in.”
The 21-year-old driver’s screams from the sinking car motivated the officers to keep swimming.
“There were moments where ya, it was going through my brain like, ‘Am I making it back to shore,'” Hilchey said.
As the car plunged deeper and deeper, the driver was somehow able to free himself but his passenger still needed help.
“I just remember wanting to hang on and hold onto her until we could get any other help out there,” said the officer.
“By that time, officer Hilchey was in distress, and the passenger was in distress from hypothermia and exhaustion, then after that officer, Amaral with the fire department were able to bring the driver back on the scene,” said Sargeant Scott Stanton who was waiting on shore that night.
One officer and the two occupants of the car were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford for minor injuries and exposure. They were all quickly released.
Investigators say alcohol, speed and a general lack of knowledge of the area likely contributed to the crash.
The driver will receive citations in connection with the incident.
Looking back on the ordeal, the officers said it’s hard not to think about how this could have ended.
“I’m just thankful. I’m thankful that we were able to get those two young kids out of the car, out of the water, and I’m grateful that I got to go home that night too,” said Hilchey.
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