In a remarkable display of courage and quick thinking, five University of Georgia students became heroes as they rescued a family Friday from a submerged vehicle in Burke County.
The extraordinary event unfolded on Friday when a white SUV veered off Ellison Bridge Road and plunged into Brier Creek. Without hesitation, the students, identified as Jane McArdle, Mary McCollum, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones, and Kaitlyn Iannace, who happened to be passing through the area, witnessed the accident and sprang into action. The five UGA students were traveling from Athens to Savannah
According to Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams, the students turned their vehicle around immediately and rushed to the scene of the crash. With the SUV already submerged in water, they wasted no time and entered the creek, pulling the driver and two children to safety.
Sheriff Williams praised the students’ selflessness, emphasizing that their swift actions undoubtedly saved lives.
“Their bravery and willingness to put themselves at risk to help others exemplify the best qualities of humanity,” the sheriff said in a viral Facebook post.
The Sardis Police Department also posted about the event, saying that all of the occupants were conscious and alert when transported from the scene. The agency also thanked Burke County 911, SPD, BCSO and Burke EMA for their quick responses.
“We especially want to thank the 5 students for their selflessness and act of courage! The term hero gets said about sports stars and others but these five are true Heroes!!” the SPD post said. “These five young ladies were the primary factor in ensuring that the occupants were able to get out of and on top of the vehicle.”
