Terrifying moment Florida sheriff’s deputy is pulled under water for 30 seconds after he was sucked into storm drain and propelled 100 feet while rescuing driver from huge flood
- David Boss left work and was making his way through water that was chest-deep on Highway 98 when he got pulled into the drain
- Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth was on the scene and tried to help when he was dragged in too
- They were propelled underneath four lanes and travelled nearly 100 feet underwater before the pair resurfaced
A sheriff’s deputy in Florida was sucked into a storm drain and submerged underwater for nearly 30 seconds after he tried to help another man who was pulled in.
Escambia County was hit by severe flooding after a thunderstorm produced a tornado and brought heavy rain on Thursday.
David Boss left work and was making his way through water that was chest-deep on Highway 98 when he got pulled into the drain which is designed to get rid of excess ground water.
Escambia County Deputy William Hollingsworth was on the scene and tried to help when he was dragged in too.
They were propelled underneath four lanes and travelled nearly 100 feet underwater before the pair resurfaced.
A sheriff’s deputy in Florida was sucked into a storm drain and submerged underwater for nearly 30 seconds after he tried to help another man who was pulled in
David Boss left work and was making his way through water that was chest-deep on Highway 98 when he got pulled into the drain which is designed to get rid of excess ground water
They were propelled underneath four lanes and travelled nearly 100 feet underwater before the pair resurfaced
The sheriff deputy’s bodycam captured the terrifying moment they were swallowed.
It shows Hollingsworth helping stranded motorists before Boss was sucked into the drain.
He rushes to help get him out but ends up being pulled in himself and the footage goes dark but you can hear muffled noises underwater.
The pair resurfaced 30 seconds later after travelling 100 feet in pure disbelief at what just happened.
Hollingsworth is heard screaming: ‘David, David! Can you f****** believe what has just happened to us?
‘Just breathe. Just breathe man. Oh my god! Oh thank you Jesus.’
And Boss replies: ‘I almost died,’ before the deputy responds: ‘I almost f******died too buddy, it sucked me in!
‘I never held my breath like that in my life.’ Boss adds: ‘Me neither.’
The pair then embraced and celebrated the fact they made it out alive.
The sheriff deputy’s bodycam captured the terrifying moment they were swallowed
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons (pictured) said the current was strong enough to swallow two grown men
David Boss’ friend Cameron Tillman (pictured) was there to pick him up during the storm and could do nothing but watch as he got sucked into the drain
‘The current was strong enough to suck not one, but two grown men under it,’ Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons told Wear News.
Boss recalled the terrifying experience and said his life flashed before his eyes.
‘Life flashes before your eyes,’ he said.
‘That’s the truth. You really do think about your life if you think you’re about to die.’
He is thankful for Hollingsworth going in there to try and save him.
Boss added: ‘When I came out the other end, he was there. That means without thinking, he wanted to save me. He was doing his duty. That changed my whole perspective on people.”
His friend Cameron Tillman was there to pick him up during the storm and could do nothing but watch as he got sucked into the drain.
