Canton, Ohio – A 28-year-old man lost control of his pickup, crossed the median, entered oncoming traffic, and crashed into a creek in a dramatic accident on an Ohio highway. The vehicle flipped and landed upside down in the water, where brave firefighters raced to save the driver's life.
The crash occurred on Monday evening on Interstate 77 near Canton, as People reported.
Video footage shows the pickup first losing a tire, then leaving the roadway and ending up in Nimishillen Creek.
Passersby reacted immediately and alerted passing firefighters to the accident.
The responders then climbed over a fence about six feet high and waded through the deep water to the vehicle lying on its roof.
With their combined effort, they managed to free the trapped driver through the passenger door.
When the 28‑year‑old was pulled from the water after just six minutes, he was unconscious and had no pulse.
The man was treated at the scene of the accident and then taken to a hospital, where doctors successfully revived him. He was later transferred to a specialty clinic in the Columbus area, where his condition remains critical.
Fire chief praises "extraordinary" rescue effort
Notably, the firefighters, according to Fire Chief Steve Henderson, jumped into the water without any protective gear.
"What that crew did and the teamwork – it was extraordinary," Henderson said.
Firefighter Kyle Gallagher also expressed relief after the rescue.
"That's kind of what our job is, to try to give the best chance of survival," he said, adding that he hopes the 28‑year‑old will make a full recovery.