PLANTATION, Fla. – Two people were rescued from a canal Friday morning by a good Samaritan after their van veered off a road in Plantation, authorities said.
The crash was reported about 7:30 a.m. in the area of Northwest 47th Avenue and West Sunrise Boulevard.
Plantation Fire Rescue officials said the driver, Teophil Omegat, 40, lost control while turning on a sharp curve and crashed into the canal. Omegat and his 10-year-old daughter were helped out by good Samaritan Jephtah Thomas.
"I think they would have died," Thomas said. "I heard a knock on their back window and said, 'Thank God they are still alive.'"
Thomas said he smashed the window to rescue the father and daughter.
"The little girl jumped on my neck," he said. "I held her."
Thomas said he was on the way to work when he saw the van go under water.
"I said to him, 'I am going in,' and jumped in. I just jumped in the water," Thomas said.
The Omegats were taken to Plantation General Hospital with minor injuries.