Man Rushes Into Dangerous Waters to Save Child, Then Carries Woman on His Shoulder to Shore

June 20, 2026

A Louisiana shuttle driver is being praised as a hero after rushing into dangerous waters and rescuing three people who were caught in a powerful rip current, including a young boy.

Jordan Matthew / Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Jordan Matthew was working at Elmer's Island Refuge near Grand Isle when what seemed like a normal day suddenly turned into a life or death emergency.

After dropping off a group of visitors from Oklahoma at a remote section of the beach, Matthew was heading back when he noticed people frantically waving him down.

What he learned next sent him running straight toward the water.

A young boy had become trapped in a strong current near Caminada Pass. In an attempt to save him, a woman believed to be a family member went in after him and got caught as well. At the same time, another woman swimming nearby was also pulled into the dangerous water.

None of the three could swim.

"They were bobbing under, the waves were crashing over their heads," Matthew recalled. "It was a rough sight."

Without any formal lifeguard training, Matthew immediately sprang into action.

He reached the boy first and brought him to a safer area. He then guided the first woman back toward shore before turning his attention to the second woman, who had drifted farther away and was fighting exhaustion.

As he worked to save the first two victims, Matthew encouraged the third woman to remain calm and conserve her energy.

"I didn't want them to run out of energy, so I was like, 'stay calm,'" he said.

After swimming out to reach her, Matthew grabbed hold of the woman and brought her back to shore, even carrying her over his shoulder for part of the rescue.

When asked what was going through his mind during the ordeal, Matthew described entering a state he calls "absolute focus."

"I activated that in my mind, just locked in, and went one by one and went get them," he said. "I didn't really have too many thoughts going."

Thanks to his quick thinking and determination, all three people made it safely back to shore before emergency responders arrived. Though shaken by the frightening experience, everyone survived.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries later thanked Matthew publicly for his heroic actions, crediting his decisive response with saving three lives.

As grateful family members celebrated their rescue, they invited Matthew to dinner that evening as a thank you. It's a small gesture compared to what he gave them: the chance to go home together.