In a display of quick thinking and bravery, Ryan Lauber, an employee at the Publix grocery store on Dunn Avenue, dove into a pond to rescue his 19-year-old coworker from a sinking pickup truck. As reported by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Lauber was on a break when he responded to what he initially thought was a call for help. He soon discovered the alarming scene behind the store—a vehicle was descending into the water with his colleague trapped within.
The incident occurred last Thursday afternoon, with Lauber's actions rapidly turning to dive headlong into rescue mode. Upon arriving at the water's edge, he sprang over a six-foot chain-link fence to get closer. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report, it's believed that the young man, just finished from his shift, had lost control of his truck, resulting in the perilous submersion. The victim indicated he had been trapped for "about 10 minutes" and had ingested water before Lauber located him "floating, exhausted, near the truck."
Lauber managed to safely pull him out of the water before Jacksonville Fire and Rescue teams and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) officers, arrived. Among the JSO officers was one who was off-duty but promptly prepared to assist upon reaching the scene. The truck, by that time, had vanished beneath the surface, leaving behind only a trail of bubbles to mark its place. The rescue crews treated the nearly-drowned man on-site before transporting him to a hospital where he remains in an alert state and is projected to recover fully.
The young man's life was likely saved due to the rapid response of his coworker, earning Lauber praise and gratitude from local law enforcement. JSO District 6 Patrol Officers specifically thanked him for his "selfless heroism," with Officer A. Stallings presenting him a challenge coin to recognize his courageous act. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has used the occasion to remind drivers "to please slow down and be careful," advising anyone finding their vehicle in water to "stay calm, unbuckle your seatbelt, and immediately try to open or break a window."
