A West Palm Beach woman who jumped into a lake to rescue a driver was reunited with the man on Thursday afternoon, days after helping bring him safely to shore. Annmarie Sanchez, a mother of three young children, said she acted because she could not stand by while someone was in danger of drowning.
Residents first noticed the vehicle in the water at about 8 p.m. Monday after the man accidentally drove into the lake. While many people took out their phones to record what was happening, Sanchez entered the water and began swimming toward him. She said she did not know whether there might be crocodiles or alligators in the lake, but went ahead anyway.
By the time Sanchez reached the driver, she said, his vehicle had sunk completely beneath the surface. The man was having difficulty keeping himself afloat. Sanchez began pulling him toward the bank, making slow progress as she tried to get him out of the water.
The effort became increasingly difficult, and Sanchez said she reached a point where she could barely keep holding him. She began shouting for assistance. According to her account, about 20 people were standing on the bank, but initially none came into the water to help. She described feeling frustrated as she struggled to continue the rescue.
Sanchez said she kept pulling the man despite her growing difficulty and was only seconds from having to stop when another woman finally swam out. With the second woman helping, they were able to reach the shore safely.
On Thursday afternoon, Sanchez answered a knock at her door and found the man she had rescued. He introduced himself as Bill. She said she was delighted to see him, and they immediately embraced. He thanked her for entering the lake when others had not and for saving his life.
Sanchez told Bill that helping him had been something she felt compelled to do. “I just couldn’t sit there and let a stranger die in front of me and not do anything,” she said.
Following their reunion, Sanchez said she hoped to stay in contact with Bill. She also wants to find the woman who swam out to assist her so she can personally thank her for helping complete the rescue.
