In an unexpected incident, the couple was forced to be rescued by a sailor after driving into the water following a GPS error.
A South Carolina couple found themselves in a perilous situation after following incorrect GPS directions.
This led them to drive into a marina, where they were rescued by sailors.
The couple, who were on vacation, were rescued by quick-thinking restaurant employees from Islander 71 Seafood restaurant in Isle of Palms.
This event, which unfolded on a Saturday evening, turned into a dramatic rescue effort that saved their lives.
The couple faced to accident at the Marina
The accident occurred around 10:30 pm when the couple left the restaurant after dinner. The couple consisted of a 70-year-old man and a woman in her 60s.
Following GPS instructions, their SUV mistakenly took a boat ramp and plunged into the nearby marina.
According to Sgt. Matt Storen from the Isle of Palms Police Department, the couple remained calm after their vehicle hit the water.
This calmness played a crucial role in their rescue.
Fortunately, the vehicle’s windows were rolled down, preventing them from being trapped as the car began to sink.
Restaurant staff responded after spotting the couple’s accident.
Johnny Himmelsbach, a bartender at Islander 71 and a former lifeguard. Hewas the first to hear the splash and immediately sprang into action.
Without hesitation, Himmelsbach ran into the water to assist the couple. Within minutes, their vehicle fully submerged, but his prompt response ensured the couple was safely pulled from the sinking car.
Restaurant manager Christopher Sollom praised Himmelsbach’s bravery.
He told WCIV-TV: “He didn’t even hesitate – he jumped right in and saved two people.”
Additionally, another employee, Cash Luther, followed Himmelsbach into the water.
Fellow bartender Shannon Standhardt called 911 to report the incident. He also rushed to alert first responders at a nearby firehouse.
The couple then was rescue
Despite the car sinking within moments, the restaurant staff acted swiftly and coordinated their efforts.
Their quick actions ensured the elderly couple was rescued before any serious harm occurred.
Manager Sollom recalled running downstairs to the marina, only to find the car completely submerged in the water.
Additionally, he emphasized how quickly the situation had escalated.
“It could have gone a different way. Everything aligned for a perfect rescue,” Sollom told The Post and Courier.
Marina’s boat ramp was closed after the incident
The couple, though in shock, expressed their gratitude for being alive following the terrifying ordeal.
According to police reports, no charges were filed against the 70-year-old male driver, who passed a DUI field test.
Both he and his female companion declined medical attention after the rescue.
The Isle of Palms Police Department temporarily closed the marina’s boat ramp after the incident.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office dive team recovered the submerged vehicle the following day, allowing the ramp to reopen.
Photos from the scene showed emergency responders pulling the couple’s car from the water, along with their personal belongings.
While, curious bystanders watched as the rescue unfolded.
Himmelsbach was praised after rescuing the couple
Standhardt described Himmelsbach as “truly an angel” for his life-saving actions that night.
They also added that the entire staff was grateful that the accident did not have a different outcome.
“He deserves all the credit from this,” she said, reflecting on the events that could have ended tragically.
This incident underscores the dangers of relying solely on GPS directions.
The bravery of the Islander 71 prevented a near-fatal accident from becoming a tragedy.
Thanks to their actions, the couple was fortunate to escape unharmed.