Car Plunges Into Lake; Florida Family Saved

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Good Samaritans sprang into action Saturday when a Florida family drove their 2002 Nissan Maxima into a lake and the car began sinking. All three members of the family made it to safety, including a two-year-old girl.

The incident happened at Lake Silver around 10:30 a.m., according to Winter Haven police, who identified the driver as 33 year-old Henry Saint-Hilaire of Winter Haven.

Saint-Hilaire was traveling north on First street with his wife Suzanne and daughter, Zahlia, inside.

“According to Saint-Hilaire, as he rounded the curve to the left, the vehicle steering locked to the left causing the vehicle to travel into the lake,” police said. “The car immediately began to submerge.”

Police said that boater Andrew Petzold spotted the family and immediately headed over to help along with other people who saw the crash.

“Petzold broke the driver's side window, pulling the driver out,” Winter Haven police explained. “All occupants were rescued from the vehicle just before it completely sank to the bottom of the lake.”

The three family members were taken to Winter Haven Hospital as a precaution.

"This is just one more example of the wonderful citizens in Winter Haven coming to the rescue without hesitation," said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. "This family undoubtedly survived this crash because of these good Samaritans who took no regard for their own safety to ensure the family was rescued."