Brave Teen Jumps Into Icy Water To Help Save The Life Of An 83-Year-Old Man And His Dog

Feb 13, 2023 by apost team

Helping other people is easier said than done – especially if it entails putting one’s life at risk. But as crazy as it may sound, there are people in the world who are willing to put their lives on the line for others. Have you ever imagined a teenager jumping into icy water to save the life of a man and a dog? It’s probably one of those scenes from a movie that will make someone cry. Well, it’s true for one teen from Iowa – only it happened in real life. 

In February 2023, a 17-year-old teen named Joe Salmon helped save the life of an elderly man named Thomas Lee and his six-year-old dog Cooper after their vehicle dove into East Okoboji Lake.

Lee was on his way to his son-in-law’s fishing shack at the time the incident took place, the Des Moines Register said in a report.

Salmon, on the other hand, was nearby ice fishing and watching snowmobile races. As soon as he saw Lee and his dog plunge into the icy water under Highway 71 bridge, he immediately dialed 911.

But Salmon knew he needed to act fast and not simply wait on the side for the police to arrive. So, he braved himself and jumped into the water without hesitation to rescue the man and his dog.

“I took one step and (the water) went to about my chest,” Salmon recalled in an interview with the Register. “I got on the bumper of the rear and tried opening the back door, but all the windows were locked, but one guy gave me a knife and I hit the back glass a couple of times.”

While Salmon managed to pull Cooper out after he broke through the glass, it wasn’t the case for Lee who got stuck several times before finally making his way out of the sinking vehicle.

Thankfully, there were four other men who were present to help Salmon out in making sure that Lee and his dog made it to safety, according to a press release from the Dickinson County Sherriff’s Office.

According to the Register, these men were Corey McConnell of Spirit Lake; Kody Harrelson of Nevada; Cody Chester of Estherville; and Chris Parks of Hawarden.

Meanwhile, a video showing how the teen and the four other men saved the lives of Lee and Cooper was shared on a Facebook page called Drone Photographs by Tom Gustafson.

Lee, on the other hand, could only utter words of gratitude for the men who helped save his and Cooper’s lives.  

“I want to thank the people who helped and the store that took the dog in and dried him off,” Lee said.

Lee was immediately brought to Lakes Regional Healthcare, but thankfully, they did not sustain any injuries.

Salmon, who had minor cuts from the glass, admitted it was the first time he saved the life of a man and a dog. Then again, he said it makes him happy knowing Lee and Cooper are fine.

“I’m happy that he was OK and the dog was OK. It was just crazy at the time,” Salmon said. “I’ve never done anything like that.”

While Salmon lost his shoes in the water, sports journalist Marty Smith offered to give him a pair of shoes as well as Track Guy Foundation, who promised that a pair of shoes was coming his way.

What a truly commendable heroic deed!

apost.com

What can you say about Joe Salmon’s bravery? Would you have done the same thing? Let us know what you think and pass this on to your family and friends who might find this story interesting!