Hero Lifeguard Takes Off Prosthetic Leg To Rescue Driver's Life As Car Sinks In New Jersey

Nov 17, 2020 by apost team

Despite improvements in public safety, people still die from accidental drowning. This is especially true near the ocean due to the tumultuous waves, strong winds, and potential for life-threatening storms. The following near-drowning incident isn't a typical story.

Just recently, a 68-year-old man found himself and his vehicle in Newark Bay—and even worse, the man couldn't swim. But thankfully due to a quick-thinking hero named Anthony Capuano, who happens to be a swimming instructor, the 68-year-old was rescued in time, but not before Capuano removed his prosthetic leg to jump in the water.

As is the case with many drownings, this one attracted a large crowd. As is also the case with many drownings, the bystanders felt helpless to intervene. The words of one local woman perfectly reflected these feelings of powerlessness.

Helena Bilodeau was at the scene of the accident. She gave her account to ABC reporters at the scene. According to her, the sport utility vehicle was, "...way out in the water, with the man out the window."

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Ms. Bilodeau went on to say that the man in the car window was, "...yelling something." As the scene unfolded before her eyes, Bilodeau saw, in her own words, "...the car going down." It was a dramatic moment of sinking, screaming, and standing there helpless.

While Bilodeau and the crowd were standing at the shoreline, helplessly looking at the scene, another man heard the screams from the car. He had a very different reaction. He knew he was in a position to help.

Anthony Capuano was a lifeguard and swimming instructor. As he heard the crowd and the man's cries, he ran. Instead of running away or even for an ambulance, Capuano ran toward the tragedy that was unfolding before everyone's eyes.

As Capuano took off toward the scene, he didn't give it a second thought. After all, he had saved others from swimming accidents as part of his job. Another person flailing in the water didn't seem like a big deal to him. Even a casual observer would see a critical difference between Capuano's usual turf and what he was up against this time. He wasn't sitting in a lifeguard's chair over a chlorinated, clear pool. He was facing a much larger body of water.

As Capuano reached the rocks along the coast, he needed to do one more thing. Without this one last action, he wouldn't be able to face the roaring waters of the Atlantic. He needed to remove his prosthetic leg. 

A decade ago, Capuano was in an accident that took his right leg. Since then, he's used a prosthetic leg for walking. When in the water, he goes without the prosthetic limb. Once he removed his prosthetic leg, Capuano used his upper body muscles to hoist himself over the rocks that stood between him and the ocean. He then made the swim over to the stranded man.

Once he arrived at the sinking sport utility vehicle, the man was screaming, "I can't swim!" The 29-year-old hero replied, "That's OK. I'm a lifeguard." Capuano then swam the man back to shore. 

Jimmy Davis, the mayor of the city where the rescue happened, was impressed with Capuano. He cited Capuano's, "... instincts and professionalism..." for the heroic deed. He went on to say that Capuano, "...didn't think about his own safety."

After the accident, the police investigation found that the motorist had mistakenly put his feet on both the accelerator and the brake simultaneously. This launched the sport utility vehicle into the bay. Thanks to Capuano's efforts, the 68-year-old man is expected to recover from his injuries.

While not everyone can lift a drowning person from the water like Capuano, everyone has the ability to lift one another through words. Take a moment to reflect on this selfless rescue and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Then be sure to pass on this heroic story to those you know.