MIAMI — Good Samaritans helped pull two women from a truck after it plunged into the Miami River on Monday.
Surveillance video obtained by Local 10 News showed the chaotic scene after the driver of the truck lost control, slammed into a fence, a tree and a boat before crashing into the water.
It happened Monday after along Northwest 18th Terrace and 24th Court in Miami.
Boat captain Mauricio Florez said he thought he heard an explosion before realizing what really happened.
“It was a crazy situation for us because we’re normally used to seeing boats in the marina, not cars sinking,” he said.
Florez said once the truck went into the water, it was a race against time.
“They were inside trapped for the big bag of air and with seatbelt,” he said.
Florez also said two good Samaritans jumped into the water to help, identifying one of them as Rafael Valdez, and says he cut the airbag in order to pull the driver out to safety.
Two women were inside, appearing to be employees with the city of Miami.
“I saw that it was a car for city of Miami for the waste management,” said Florez.
Both victims were able to get out of the sinking truck safely, thanks to the two quick thinking good Samaritans.
“The most important thing is they are alive,” Florez said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
No injuries were reported.
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