Queens, NY — Rising floodwaters trapped a woman inside her submerged vehicle on the Jackie Robinson Parkway during Wednesday night’s severe flash flooding, but an off-duty New York City firefighter spotted the emergency and pulled her to safety moments before conditions worsened.
The Fire Department of New York said Ladder 123 Firefighter Travis Langan was off duty when he noticed several stranded vehicles surrounded by floodwater in Queens. After learning a woman remained trapped inside one of the submerged cars, Langan climbed onto the vehicle, broke through the sunroof, and rescued Carmen Pinto from inside.
FDNY officials said the rescue unfolded during intense flash flooding that swept through parts of New York City Wednesday night, leaving roadways inundated and vehicles stranded across multiple boroughs.
Rescue Happened During Dangerous Flood Conditions
According to the FDNY, rapidly rising water surrounded Pinto’s vehicle on the Jackie Robinson Parkway, creating a life-threatening situation as flood levels climbed around the car…