Lee Rainforth bravely saved a man trapped in a sinking car in Southend, showcasing remarkable courage and quick thinking during the incident.
Southend: A former firefighter named Lee Rainforth became a local hero after he saved an elderly man from a car that was sinking into the sea. It all happened on January 5 when Lee was driving along the seafront and spotted a vehicle in the water.
He noticed a crowd gathered on the beach and quickly realized someone was trapped inside the car. Without a second thought, he pulled over, stripped down, and jumped into the freezing water to help.
Lee smashed the driver’s side window with a rock to get the door open. The East of England Ambulance Service later confirmed that the man was assessed but didn’t need to go to the hospital. Lee recalled telling his girlfriend, “That’s a bloody car floating in the sea!” as he rushed to the scene.
When he reached the car, the water was rising fast, nearly reaching the man’s neck. Lee managed to crack the window and get the man’s seatbelt off, jokingly asking, “What are you doing out here?” as he worked to pull him to safety.
With help from another bystander, they got the man to shore just in time. A spokesperson from HM Coastguard Southend praised the bravery of those who jumped in to help, emphasizing the strong community spirit in Southend.
After the incident, the car was removed from the water by Essex Police and the Coastguard. The ambulance service confirmed they were called shortly after the car entered the sea, but thankfully, the driver was okay.
