SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – A determined name for assist got here from a fisherman after his boat immediately capsized.
Dan Watson managed to tug his cellphone from his pants pocket underwater and dial 911 after he fell into chilly waters whereas out fishing.
“I can’t hear you! I’m within the water!” he mentioned to a dispatcher. “I’m in the course of Lake Harney!”
Winds transferring at 20 miles per hour had knocked him into the frigid January water in Seminole County.
“Did you fall out of the boat?” requested the dispatcher. “Keep above water; they’re coming as quick as they’ll.”
As rescue crews made their method to the boater combating for his life, two good Samaritans bought to him first.
The fishermen have been passing by once they noticed Watson panicked within the waters. With out hesitation, they pulled him aboard their boat.
“911, are you continue to there?” Billy McClure, one of many fishermen, requested.
“Sure, I’m nonetheless right here,” mentioned the dispatcher. “Are you able to hear me?”
“Okay. We now have him rescued. I’ve him on my boat.”
Minutes later, emergency responders loaded him into their airboat to get him to shore, shortly taking him to a hospital because the hypothermia had begun to set in.
“From calling 911 to waking up within the hospital, all the pieces else was a blur,” Dan mentioned. “I’m actually blessed by God.”
Friday, Seminole County honored the great Samaritans who pulled him from the water and all of the crews who labored collectively within the rescue.
Watson mentioned he’s particularly grateful for the calming voice of the dispatcher, Jonathan Flores, the final voice he remembered that day.
Flores says it’s Watson’s voice that he’ll keep in mind endlessly.
“His willingness and energy to remain struggling in water for a way lengthy he did has made a mark on me,” he mentioned.
The nice Samaritans who saved Watson mentioned they hope they’ll all go fishing collectively some day.
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