A 16-year-old boy has been hailed a hero after saving three young girls who were in a car that drove off a boat ramp and began sinking into the Mississippi river during Independence Day celebrations.
Corion Evans was in the right place at the right time when he saw the car leave the ramp. It floated out by around 20 feet and began sinking. Corion quickly took off his shoes and shirt and swam towards the car in which the 3 girls were trapped.
He said:
"The driver of that vehicle stated she was following her GPS and did not realize she was going into the water. I was just like, 'I can't let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water. So, I just started getting them. I wasn't even thinking about nothing else. I was behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time."
The police soon arrived and began assisting in the rescue, but one officer was pulled down when one of the children began to panic. Yet again Corion acted fast, he told reporters:
"I turned around. I see the police officer. He's drowning. He's going underwater, drowning, saying, 'Help!' So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I'm like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk."
Thankfully, all three girls were soon taken ashore and, after medical examination, were allowed to go home.
Corion added:
"Twenty-five yards out, so it was a lot of swimming. My legs were so tired after. Anything could've been in that water, though. But I wasn't thinking about it."
Moss Point Chief Brandon Ashley later praised Corion, saying:
"The police department and I commend Mr. Evans's bravery and selflessness he displayed by risking his own safety to help people in danger. If Mr. Evans had not assisted, it could have possibly turned out tragically instead of all occupants rescued safely."
While his mother added:
"I'm glad nothing happened to him while he was trying to save other people's lives. I was really proud of Corion because he wasn't just thinking about himself. He was trying to really get all those people out the water."
[Based on reporting by: Positive Outlooks]
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