Shuttle driver heard three swimmers screaming for help — it wasn’t a shark attack, but something just as dangerous was pulling them under
Tourists may not always be aware of the potential natural dangers in foreign places. That's why it's important to be vigilant and astute. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shared a post on June 14, 2026, about one such group at Elmer’s Island Refuge. Grand Isle driver Jordan Matthew was driving back after dropping tourists when he noticed a few of them waving him down. As soon as he got near the water, he immediately jumped into a rescue mission to save three lives. Reported by WWLTV on June 16, 2026, the man revealed how a routine day at work quickly became unforgettable.
Matthew had just dropped off a few visitors from Oklahoma and began to head back when he saw some people frantically waving at him. He learned that a young boy was caught in a rip tide. Turns out, a woman who was believed to be the kid's family member had jumped into the water in an attempt to save him. However, she, along with another woman, also got caught in the waves. "They were bobbing under, the waves were crashing over their heads, it was a rough sight," the man noted, per Sunny Skyz. He immediately jumped in to rescue them. He first brought the young boy to the shore. He later guided the other two strangers.
As he was rescuing the boy and the woman, he tried his best to communicate with and reassure the third tourist, guiding her on what to do in the meantime. He later brought the third victim back to the shore by carrying her over his shoulder. Matthew knew that he had to use critical thinking to navigate the issue. "I activated an absolute focus in my mind, just locked in, and went to get them one by one," he recounted. In that moment, the only thought was to save them all. Immediately after the brave rescue was carried out, emergency responders arrived at the spot and provided them with further treatment.
Matthew's brave action earned him praise from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The tourist group later invited the man to dinner as a token of appreciation. Sometimes, our quick thinking and action can save lives in unimaginable ways. In another story, a Sebastian man, Logan Hayes, was driving his vehicle and got stuck in traffic when he quickly noticed a car near a lake sinking underwater. He immediately jumped into the water and guided the woman to the backseat. From there, he managed to pull her out by grabbing her hips. It was only after he helped her up that he realized she was pregnant. Thanks to his immediate intervention, he was able to save not just the mother, but her unborn child too.