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UGA Students Save Mother And Children From Car Crash In Creek

March 20, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Burke County, Georgia.

A group of students from the University of Georgia are being hailed as heroes for rescuing a family from a sinking vehicle.

Credit: Burke County Sheriff's Office - Georgia

Jane McArdle, Mary McCollum, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones, and Kaitlyn Iannace were on a routine drive when they witnessed a white SUV veer off the road and roll into a creek.

Without a moment's hesitation, these extraordinary individuals sprang into action. Turning their vehicle around, they rushed to the crash site, where the submerged car posed a dire threat to the trapped occupants. 

"We just see a vehicle submerged in the middle of a creek, and just sinking by the second more and more under so we just throw our stuff aside really without much hesitation and just jump in," McCollum told ANF.

McCollum recounted the tense moments as she and her friends stood atop the sinking vehicle, battling against the weight of the water-logged door.

"We're standing on top of the car and we eventually get this super heavy water-locked door open," she said.

Through sheer determination and teamwork, they managed to pry open the door and extract the mother and her two children, aged 8 and 4, from the perilous situation.

Credit: Burke County Sheriff's Office - Georgia

But their heroism didn't end there. Clarke Jones, drawing upon her CPR training from her lifeguarding experience, immediately sprang into action to resuscitate the youngest child.

"Eventually, he came to and started crying and breathing," Jones recounted. "It was a really surreal experience."

The selfless actions of these five young women did not go unnoticed. The local sheriff's office took to social media to express their gratitude and admiration, recognizing the students' quick thinking and bravery.

"The quick thinking and bravery of these women is absolutely admirable. We are grateful you were in the right place at the right time," the post read, echoing the sentiments of an entire community.