A couple who accidently drove into water after following wrong GPS directions were saved by heroic restaurant workers in South Carolina.
Employees from Islander 71 Seafood restaurant and bar in Isle of Palms quickly jumped into action after the couple, who were vacationing in the city, drove into a nearby marina Saturday around 10.30pm.
The unidentified couple, a 70-year-old man and a woman in her 60s, had just enjoyed dinner at the restaurant before their SUV hopped on a boat ramp entrance and plummeted into the water after listening to the navigation system, according to Sgt. Matt Storen with the Isle of Palms Police Department.
Johnny Himmelsbach, a bartender and former lifeguard, heard the car splash into the water and swiftly ran into the water to pull the couple to safety.
Within minutes the car sank, but luckily the confused couple rolled their windows and remained calm when they hit the water, Storen told DailyMail.com.
An unidentified couple visiting Isle of Palms, South Carolina nearly sunk with their car in a marina on Saturday night after enjoying dinner at Islander 71 Seafood restaurant and bar
The 70-year-old man and a woman in her 60s had just enjoyed dinner at the restaurant before their SUV hoped on a boat ramp entrance and plummeted into the water. (pictured: The car being pulled out of the water Sunday)
The car is seen completely submerged underwater as lights shine through
The male driver and female passenger are not facing charges and the 70-year-old man successfully completed a DUI field test, Storen said, adding that they declined medical care.
Restaurant manager Christopher Sollom told WCIV-TV Himmelsbach Didnt even hesitate - he jumped right in and was able to pull two people out of the car before it submerged into the water.
Sollom added that after Himmelsbach jumped in to help, another employee, Cash Luther, followed him in while a fellow bartender, Shannon Standhardt, called 911 to report the dramatic incident.
Standhardt also ran to a nearby fire house and alerted first responders to help.
Sollom ran down to the water and said by the time he got there the car was completely submerged.
So, that was a matter of 60 seconds from when someone got me upstairs to when I ran downstairs, he told the outlet.
Johnny Himmelsbach (pictured), a bartender and former lifeguard, heard the car splash into the water and ran into the water to pull the couple to safety
While Himmelsbach jumped in to help, another employee, Cash Luther, followed him in while a fellow bartender, Shannon Standhardt, called 911 to report the dramatic incident. (pictured: The SUV pulled out of the water Sunday)
It could have gone a different way. Everything aligned for a perfect rescue, the manager told The Post and Courier.
The elderly couple told Sollom they were in a lot of shock after the scary situation but they are happy to be alive, the outlet reported.
Shortly after the near-fatal incident, the Isle of Palms Police Department announced that the Isle of Palms Marina boat ramp would be closed until further notice.
The ramp opened back up Sunday after the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office dive team recovered the sunken vehicle.
Images from the scene showed emergency personnel pulling the car out of the water, along with personal items, while onlookers watched.
The department said no injuries or environmental impacts were reported.
Standhardt told WCIV-TV Hummelsbach is truly an angel for saving the stranded couple that night.
Within minutes the car sank, but luckily the confused couple rolled their windows and remained calm when they hit the water
Fellow bartender, Shannon Standhardt, called 911 to report the dramatic incident before running to a nearby fire house and alerting first responders. (pictured: Fire-rescue crew in the Marina)
Onlookers are seen watching emergency crews get the car out of the marina. Police said no injuries or environmental impacts were reported
He deserves all the credit from this. I cant say we will ever forget this evening and be so grateful that this accident didnt have a different outcome, she said.
DailyMail.com contacted the Isle of Palms Police Department.
In 2023, two tourists drove straight into Honokohau Harbor, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii after listening to GPS directions.
Christie Hutchinson captured the dramatic moment on video which showed the crew swimming up to the driver and passenger and helping them escape unharmed.
Two men tied a rope to the back of the silver Chrysler Town & Country and attempted to save the van but their efforts were ultimately in vain as it quickly sank into the harbor.
Christie can be heard saying: Pretty sure that wasnt supposed to happen before explaining how the tourists were following GPS directions and took a wrong turn.
Sailboat crew members sprung into action and helped the female driver of the van escape through the window while the other passenger, also a woman, and reportedly the sister of the driver, escaped out the window on the other side of the car.