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The Charles County Sheriff’s Department in Maryland recently released gripping dashboard and body camera footage of a water rescue that took place on Thanksgiving.
The rescue, which took place on November 26, involved the recovery of a man and his two dogs from an SUV that was submerged in a stormwater pond just north of Mattawoman-Beantown Road.
The survivor, identified as Martin Watts from Baltimore, was thankful for first responders after viewing the video footage for the first time.
“I have nothing but gratitude for them and them going above and beyond in what they needed to do in that situation,” Watts said.
According to a 9-1-1 caller, Watts’ Ford Explorer had slid on wet pavement during heavy rains, rolling over a guard rail on US-301, and ultimately sinking in the pond.
The first responder on the scene, Sheriff Corporal Ian Bier, was initially flagged down by Brian Moy, a good Samaritan who witnessed the event.
Bier, as seen on his bodycam, quickly discarded his gun belt and plunged into the dark, 38-degree pond armed with a rescue tool designed to break windows.
Officers Charles Watley, Matthew Neel and Dominiquea Trotter soon joined the rescue effort, braving the frigid water to reach the submerged vehicle.
Watts, meanwhile, was trapped in a pocket of air with only about three inches between the water and the ceiling of his SUV.
“I knew I was going to drown,” he recounted.
Despite being conscious of the situation, he felt powerless as he attempted to lower the power windows.
“Honestly, I was probably going to be there until somebody tried to pull that vehicle out because I wasn’t having any luck finding that jack handle, and I didn’t expect somebody to come in the water and rescue me. I didn’t expect to live through it,” Watts added.
The officers, though unable to touch the bottom and treading water to breathe, managed to break the windows and locate Watts inside the SUV.
Watley then reached in and felt Watts’ knee, allowing the team to pull him through the broken window. Watts initially appeared unresponsive but opened his eyes and took a breath as the officers brought him to safety.
Simultaneously, Officer Trotter rescued Watts’ two dogs, GG and Rogue, from the passenger side of the SUV.
The dramatic video footage showed Watts, suffering from life-threatening hypothermia, being walked to an ambulance after the daring rescue.
In a gathering at the sheriff’s station in Waldorf, Watts – along with his grateful dogs and rescuers – watched the video release.
Witness Brian Moy, who played a crucial role in guiding the officers to the submerged vehicle, joined via FaceTime, receiving heartfelt thanks from Watts for his assistance.
“There’s no way they’d have found me without your help.” Watts reflected.
Watts had been on his way home from dropping his son off at St. Mary’s College of Maryland when the accident occurred.
He acknowledged their above-and-beyond efforts in the critical situation.
“It was very hard to watch, and it’s even harder to be the one that they were coming to get,” Watts said after watching the footage. “When I heard that they were doing something to honor these officers that came in the water and rescued me, I had to be here. I had to thank them personally.”
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