16-Year-Old Hero Rescues Three Girls And Police Officer From Drowning
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Featured Image Credit: Corion Evans/WLOX
A teenager has been praised after he saved three girls and a police officer from drowning.
Corion Evans dived into Pascagoula River in Mississippi after a car carrying a group of teens crashed into the water and began sinking in the early hours of Sunday (3 July).
The 16-year-old said he heard the girls screaming for help and didn't think twice about trying to help them.
Evans told WLOX: "I was just like, 'I can't let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water.
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"So, I just started getting them. I wasn't even thinking about nothing else.
"Twenty-five yards out, so it was a lot of swimming. My legs were so tired after. Anything could've been in that water, though. But I wasn't thinking about it."
After swimming out, the high school student was able to help the girls get out of the vehicle.
He added: "I was behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time."
As well as Evans, Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer also responded to the situation.
However, after helping bring one person to safety, he began to struggle in the water.
Luckily, Evans spotted him and went back to save him as well.
Evan said: "I turned around. I see the police officer. He's drowning. He's going underwater, drowning, saying, 'Help!'.
"So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I'm like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk."
Thanks to Evans' bravery, the officer and the three girls made it safely to shore and were taken to hospital, where they are said to be recovering.
Praising Evans for his incredible heroics, police said he no doubt saved the lives of those girls.
In a statement, Moss Point Chief Brandon Ashley said: "The police department and I commend Mr. Evans's bravery and selflessness he displayed by risking his own safety to help people in danger.
"If Mr. Evans had not assisted, it could have possibly turned out tragically instead of all occupants rescued safely."
Following the incident, police presented Evans with a commendation for his bravery.
Officer Mercer was also recognised for his efforts in the rescue attempt.
The young lad's mum, Marquita Evans, said: "I'm glad nothing happened to him while he was trying to save other people's lives.
"I was really proud of Corion because he wasn't just thinking about himself. He was trying to really get all those people out the water."
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