An Orlando TV station reporter saved a woman stuck in her car after she tried to drive through the floodwaters of Hurricane Ian.
WESH TV broadcast Tony Atkins’s report, in which he carried the woman from danger to safety. His crew was on Orange Avenue which had been submerged by high water.
“This car eventually got stuck, then I saw a hand come out and I heard help,”Atkins stated this to viewers. “I looked around for a number of things — alligators and things like that. Also downed power lines. But most importantly I looked for law enforcement that could help rescue that woman. But no one was there. It was so dark. She did ask for help and I just didn’t know her status.”
Atkins stated that he “just decided to slowly make my way out there and just help her out.”He stated that the woman was concerned about getting to her job, since she was a nurse. Atkins carried the woman from shallower waters to images captured by crew members.
“I’m just glad she…got to work safe,”He stated.
National news outlets and local stations reported on the destruction of Hurricane Irma as it passed through.
Tried to take a little nap…woke up and see this!!!!! OMG! @TonyAtkinsTV !!!!!!!!!!! @WESH https://t.co/QyZeiy5cCK
— Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWESH) September 29, 2022