Photo: Timothy Hearsum / Photodisc / Getty Images
Palm Bay, FL - Palm Bay police officers are being hailed as heroes after dramatic body camera footage captured the moment they rescued a pregnant woman trapped in an overturned, partially submerged car in Brevard County.
The harrowing incident unfolded on December 26th when officers responded to reports of downed power lines in Palm Bay.
While assessing the scene, officers heard desperate banging sounds coming from a nearby canal.
Upon investigating, they discovered a vehicle flipped upside down and partially underwater.
Without hesitation, one officer retrieved a baseball bat from his patrol car and sprinted toward the water.
The bodycam video captured the tense moments as officers broke into the vehicle and pulled the pregnant woman to safety.
Audio from the footage recorded the woman’s cries as officers guided her to dry land.
Former sheriff’s detective and investigator Jamie Copenhaver praised the officers’ swift response, emphasizing how critical their immediate action was.
“They didn’t think. They literally went into life-saving mode for this young pregnant woman,” Copenhaver said.
He also highlighted the importance of timing in such emergencies. “Just think if that was dispatched five minutes later, or he was hung up in traffic an extra three or four to five minutes. The outcome could have certainly been different, and we could have had a fatality or a tragedy on our hands.”
Copenhaver shared vital safety tips for anyone trapped in a sinking car.
He advised staying calm, unbuckling the seatbelt, and using the buckle, headrest, screwdriver, or even feet to break a window if necessary.
“If that buckle doesn’t work, and you can’t negotiate your way out of the car, for goodness’ sake, use your feet and kick that car window, door window out,” he stressed.
Officials also remind the public to stay composed and act quickly in life-threatening situations.
Witnesses who encounter sinking vehicles are urged to call 911 immediately, keep visual contact with the vehicle, and assist if it’s safe to do so.
“Have a plan in mind, no matter what you’re doing,” Copenhaver advised.
Thanks to the officers' quick and courageous actions, the pregnant woman survived the terrifying ordeal.