Hat's off to courageous life savers

A story appeared yesterday which reported according to witnesses that a car containig a man had inexplicably sped at over 40 mph across a parking lot near the Mississippi in Moline, jumped the curb and flew into the river, only to submerge.

It was not known at that time what the cause of the accident was, but a story today provides further detail.

A 48-year-old East Moline man was recovering at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, Wednesday, after a daring rescue Tuesday night when his car went into the Mississippi River.

Moline police said the man, whose name wasn't being released, suffered a diabetic reaction. He was not breathing when he was pulled from the car, and a defibrillator was used to revive him.

Lt Jerome Patrick said the man was breathing on his own and responding to questions Wednesday. No charges will be filed.

According to police, shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, the man had a diabetic reaction and his 2000 Chevrolet Malibu veered off the Ben Butterworth Parkway into the river near 55th Street and River Drive in Moline where it quickly sank.

Witnesses on the parkway called 911 and called to the man to get out of the car.

Moline police officer Michael Griffin and East Moline police officer Michael Cornell arrived at the scene and swam to the vehicle, Lt. Patrick said. By that time, the car was under about two feet of water.

The officers were able to get the door open and Officer Griffin cut the victim out of his seatbelt and pulled him out.

Then Moline firefighters arrived and firefighter Kris Johnson, wearing a vest and carrying a life preserver, swam to the car and held the victim as firefighters on shore pulled them in.

Officers Griffin and Cornell remained on top of the submerged car until a rescue boat from the Bettendorf Fire Department picked them up and carried them to shore.

Police are generally considered a pain in the backside to many people. Nearly everyone has a tale of running into some dim-witted or overly agressive cop. But this story shows them for what they often are when the situation presents itself, brave, skilled, and dedicated men and women.

The officers and firefighters involved in saving this man's life deserve the highest praise. The officers were not required to dive into the frigid waters and risk their own lives, but they did. They knew what had to be done and they didn't hesitate to do it, and as a result, a man is alive today who would have certainly perished if not for the officers quick and courageous actions.

After endless hours of relative boredom sitting in a warm squad car, it takes a lot of guts to almost instantly size up the situation and decide to jump into the frigid and murky currents of the Mississippi and go below the surface into the inky water to cut the victim out of his seat belt and extract him. It's a testiment to their commitment and training that they were successful.

And it's not just the victim who should be grateful. We all should, as at any time, the life these public servants save could be our own.