Kids were sinking fast in Louisiana marsh after car crash when men stopped to rescue
Two strangers driving on a Louisiana highway sprang into action and helped save four lives after they noticed a car veer off the road into a marshy canal, police said.
Jeff Lapeyrouse and Chase Dupre were identified by the Louisiana State Police as the good Samaritans who helped the family.
It was just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 7 when Lapeyrouse was driving on Louisiana Highway 182 and saw a 2007 Toyota Corolla swerve into a canal, Louisiana State Police said in a news release.
The car went into a marshy canal and “quickly became submerged in the water,” trapping the family, which included two children, inside, the release said.
Lapeyrouse pulled over and rushed into the marsh water to help. Dupre, who was in another vehicle, also stopped to assist. Together they helped get family to safety as they weren’t able to open the car doors because of the mud, the release said.
“I am far from a hero, just another guy that did what many others would have done. I just thank god that we were able to get the family out safe,” Lapeyrouse wrote on Facebook. “(Dupre) was the man that got the door open and then we were able to get the family out safely. I want to make sure he gets the recognition, because without him there, I don’t know if things would have turned out the same.”
The family had minor injuries from the crash, according to the release.
The Louisiana State Police said it was “thankful for both of these men who selflessly entered a dangerous situation to help save the lives of many.”
This story was originally published December 8, 2022 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Kids were sinking fast in Louisiana marsh after car crash when men stopped to rescue."
