Two women were pulled from a sinking truck Monday afternoon after the vehicle tore through a fence and plunged into the Miami River — and it was nearby Good Samaritans who saved their lives.
The crash happened near NW 18th Terrace and 24th Court, where surveillance footage captured the truck smashing through a fence, striking a tree and even clipping a docked boat before splashing into the water.
Boat captain Mauricio Florez, who was working nearby, said the impact was so loud he initially assumed something had exploded. When he saw the truck going under, he realized the situation was dire.
Florez said the women appeared trapped by a deployed airbag and their seatbelts as the truck filled with water. Before emergency crews arrived, two bystanders jumped into the river. One of them, identified as Rafael Valdez, cut through the airbag and helped pull the driver out.
Florez noted the vehicle appeared to belong to the City of Miami’s waste management department.
Thanks to the quick action of the rescuers, both women made it out safely and were not seriously hurt.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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For over two decades, the lawyers at Suarez & Montero have been helping accident victims and their families collect just financial compensation and see justice for their injuries and losses. Call our law firm today at (305) 631-1911 to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers who will be able to inform you of your eligibility towards compensation for your injuries and losses that you may have incurred due to a recent accident.
