Annmarie Sanchez is still trying to locate the woman who entered the water to help her during a Monday-night rescue, so she can thank her, WPBF reported. On Thursday, the man Sanchez had helped came to her home and introduced himself as Bill. WPBF reported that they embraced, and that Sanchez hopes to keep in touch with him.
The rescue
According to WPBF’s reporting, Sanchez’s daughter alerted her that a vehicle had gone into the lake near Willow Pond Road. Floodwater made it difficult to distinguish the road from the lake. Sanchez said residents were filming from the bank and had not gone into the water; she decided to try to help. These details, along with the rescue account, are based on WPBF’s reporting: WPBF.
By the time Sanchez reached the vehicle, it was underwater, and the driver was struggling to stay afloat, WPBF reported. Sanchez pulled him toward shore and called for assistance. Another woman swam out, and the two brought him to safety. Sanchez told WPBF that she had feared there might be alligators in the water but acted because she did not want the man to die.
Flooding across the county
The rescue took place during widespread flooding in Palm Beach County. A WPBF report described roads and neighborhoods underwater and residents unable to reach their homes. WFLX reported that parts of West Palm Beach received more than 22 inches of rain and that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue received more than 1,600 emergency calls from Nov. 1 through Nov. 3; the total included calls unrelated to flooding.
