Knox Resident’s Quick Reaction Saved Florida Woman

A family sprung into action to rescue a Florida woman after her vehicle became submerged in water.
A family sprung into action to rescue a Florida woman after her vehicle became submerged in water.
It wasn’t a normal start to the day Monday for Knox residents Tom and Elaine Silveus. While visiting their Homosassa, Fla. residence, Elaine was outside early Monday morning with her dogs when she saw car headlights coming down their dark remote road. Then, she heard a loud splash.

“She had missed her turn which was not far from where we were at and it was very foggy out. She said she was looking for her turn and the next thing she knew water was coming in her car. She was screaming because she didn’t know how to swim. The driver’s side window happened to be broken – she couldn’t get it up or down. She was able to climb out there and as she was climbing out my husband said she was screaming the whole time – screaming she couldn’t swim and he just went right into the water and down the ramp,” said Elaine.

Elaine explained that Tom ran down into the water and helped rescue a woman who had crashed into the nearby waterway.

“I yelled, ‘Tom! That car just went in the water!’ He immediately got up and began to run out the door, down the stairs, passed me, and told me to call 911, which of course I did,” said Elaine.

He went down the ramp and walked up to the car. The victim was shaking uncontrollably so it was a little difficult to get her out of the car, but he was able to get her out of the car and to the shore safely.

The family took her into their home and made sure she was safe while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. The victim told them she had no idea where she was and she appeared disoriented. The victim explained that she had taken a friend to a bus stop and was traveling down the road and the next thing she knew water was coming in around her. She was familiar with the road as she has a residence there, but reportedly didn’t remember anything just prior to the accident.

Medically, the victim was fine. If it hadn’t been for Tom Silveus’ quick actions, the ending to this story could have had a different tone.