Couple rescued by restaurant staff after driving into water at South Carolina marina
Confusion over GPS directions led a couple to drive into the water at Isle of Palms Marina in South Carolina, police reported. Restaurant employees jumped in to rescue the couple, a 70-year-old man and a woman in her 60s, after they dined at the Islander 71 Seafood restaurant Saturday night.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team later recovered the submerged vehicle, and fortunately, there were no injuries or environmental damage.
Islander 71 general manager Christopher Sollom praised bartender Johnny Himmelsbach, a former lifeguard, for his quick action. He jumped into the water and pulled the couple out before the car fully submerged. Another employee assisted while others alerted first responders.
Coworker Shannon Standhardt described Himmelsbach’s actions as heroic, expressing gratitude that the situation didn’t have a more tragic outcome.