'We were all very lucky': Good Samaritans save family from Chester County floodwaters

Alicia Vitarelli Image
Saturday, August 8, 2020
Good Samaritans save family from flooded car
Four strangers, turned good Samaritans, saved a father and four children from a sinking vehicle as the floodwaters continued to rise.

WEST MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- On Tuesday, an incredibly risky water rescue in Chester County was caught on camera.

Four strangers, turned good Samaritans, saved a father and four children from a sinking vehicle as the floodwaters continued to rise.

The video out of West Marlborough Township is heart racing, and shows the true bravery of everyday heroes.

"You can see how strong the river is and it's pulling them away," says Dan DiGregorio, of Phoenixville, one of four strangers who rushed in to save them. "Honestly, out of nowhere, this backhoe comes around the corner and we immediately started screaming at the guy driving it."

That's when the group moved in to help.

"We're yelling at the dad who's now about 15 feet away from the car with his baby in his arms. He's almost going under. So, we tell him get back to the car," DiGregorio said.

The four strangers made a human chain, holding onto each other's belts, to get the family members out, one by one.

The oldest child almost slipped away, but DiGregorio was able to grab him by the wrist.

"Even last night, I couldn't sleep because I can still see the fear in his eyes as I'm holding on to them. Because if I let go, he's gone," he said. "We were all very lucky. I mean, it wasn't smart by any of us, but it was something that had to be done as soon as possible."

DiGregorio, along with David MacDonald, Tom Garner and Walter Puddifer are now connected by the incredible moment.

"None of us knew each other," he says. "We were from everywhere, from different countries. Who cares who we are? Everybody's family and everybody needs to take care of each other."

They are now are looking for the family to check in.