From a quickly sinking car
to a terrifying amusement park fall, these daring rescues
are turning everyday people into heroes.
This car rescue sent these kind strangers swimming.
A truck crashed through a railing
and plunged into the water.
Inside the sinking vehicle, an 87-year-old woman,
her son, and their Chihuahua.
Good Samaritans jumped into the marina
in Long Beach, California, and worked frantically
to save the occupants as the truck
begins to fill with water.
Jeff Perez was one of the good Samaritans.
He lifted the 87-year-old passenger out of the truck.
She was surprisingly calm for the situation.
I thought it was actually kinda funny, too,
in the midst of all the craziness
that she was more concerned about her hair getting wet
and her lipstick.
And thankfully, we were able to keep that dry for her.
Hurry up, get 'em out.
Other rescuers swam over to free the dog
and the driver.
Incredibly, they all made it out alive.
Just like that, we went right straight through it.
And I said, "Now what do we do?"
And that's her four-year-old Chihuahua,
healthy and happy.
Two guys came in the back window
and they got in and shoved me out from the behind side.
(laughs)
She has this message for the heroes.
I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
From water to fire.
This hero braved an inferno to help these people
caught in the middle of it.
This Connecticut police officer sprinted to save people
from a burning home.
The cop's body camera captured
the heart-stopping moments of the rescue.
Is there more?
Is there any more in the house?
An off-duty firefighter with 15 years
on the job helped pull two seniors from the second story.
He just happened to be in the neighborhood at the time
and wasn't even in uniform.
You know what that smoke smells like,
and I pulled up on a house and there's fire
coming out front of the house, and people are screaming,
there's people inside.
And this is what an emergency feels like
inside of a patrol car responding to a 911 call.
(beeping)
(static talking through radio)
The officer was sent to the home before rushing
out the door into action.
At least three people had to be rescued.
Neighbors and first responders all helped
get them to safety.
(dramatic music)
These people are joining forces to catch this girl
caught in a dangerous situation.
I yelled up to her, "Let go.
"I promise I'll catch you."
Matthew Howard is the brave dad
who caught the 14-year-old girl.
Her neck is stuck.
She dangled off the Skyride
at Six Flags in New York, hanging by her neck,
her terrified little brother sitting there helpless
screaming for help.
Please, please!
I'm glad my daughter was with me.
I'm glad this young man was there trying to help.
Matthew's daughter, LeeAnn, stood
underneath the girl as she hang on for dear life.
Loren Lent recorded the heart-stopping drama
on his cellphone.
Her brother was screaming, and what really got me
is that I can't pull her back up, she can't breathe,
she's choking, her head's stuck, her neck's stuck.
They'll catch ya, they'll catch ya, honey.
The girl just couldn't hold on,
but Matthew Howard was ready.
When she released, I just braced my body
and oomph, here she comes.
When she came flying down,
from about the middle of her back down,
landed right here on my father's chest,
which knocked them both down.
And when I realized what was going on,
I put my hands out to catch her neck and her upper back.
Both Matthew and the girl
were knocked out cold, but only for a moment.
They were taken to a local hospital.
Out of the way, out of the way.
The lucky teen was happy to get a surprise
visit from her heroes.
She's in good spirits.
It's gonna be a road of recovery, but she's gonna be okay.
All thanks to these selfless strangers
with sure hands and strong backs.
God dropped an angel.
We all saved her.
This is insideedition.com.
(energetic music)