During a recent city council meeting, the Florida Fire Rescue Department honored two local heroes, Elijah Hinz and Tony Looper, for their courageous actions during a life-threatening incident on May 29th. Battalion Chief Javier Rodriguez recounted the events of that evening when emergency responders were dispatched to a vehicle submerged in a canal.

As the rescue team arrived, they discovered that Hinz and Looper had witnessed the vehicle sinking and had taken immediate action. The two young men encouraged the trapped individual to self-extricate from the vehicle, providing vital support that ultimately contributed to his rescue. The individual later credited their voices as instrumental in his escape.

The city officials, including the vice mayor and city manager, expressed gratitude for the bravery displayed by Hinz and Looper, highlighting the importance of community involvement in emergency situations. Their quick thinking and willingness to help underscore the critical role that bystanders can play in saving lives.