Well, this was one catch I’m not sure this lobsterman expected. When a stolen orange Ford Mustang careened into Casco Bay in Maine, Manny Kourinos, with over two decades of diving experience, became an unlikely hero.
In a heart-pounding rescue, Kourinos went from tending to his crustacean catches to donning scuba gear and performing a daring underwater rescue. “It was a complete adrenaline rush,” Kourinos said. “Other people were in the water trying to do the best they could, but they didn’t have scuba gear.”
It was just automatic, didn’t even think about it when it was happening.”
The 33-year-old driver, who had been reported missing earlier in the day, was trapped in the sinking vehicle. With the car submerged 12 to 15 feet below the surface, Kourinos sprang into action, diving down to the car like a marine superhero.
A car sinks into the water after going off the edge of the bay.
“I went down and grabbed the guy and pulled him through the water. He was unresponsive when I pulled him through the window,” Kourinos explained, his actions showing a remarkable blend of courage and skill.
As Kourinos surfaced with the unconscious driver, the Portland Police and fire crews scrambled to help. The water temperature, a chilly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, added an extra layer of urgency to the rescue. Despite the odds, the lobsterman’s quick thinking and experience in underwater recovery turned the tide for the man.
The rescued driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, was unresponsive with no pulse. However, thanks to the collaborative efforts of first responders and Kourinos, he was revived and is in stable condition at the Maine Medical Center.
“I’m a spiritual person. I believe I was placed to be at the right place at the right time, and I hope the person has a full recovery,” Kourinos said. The Portland Police Department, acknowledged the lobsterman’s heroic act, and attributed the driver’s survival to Kourinos’ fearless intervention. Police Lt. Robert Doherty praised Kourinos, saying, “Absolutely amazing.”
Absolutely risked his life without hesitation.”
“We were watching from shore. The police and firefighters were watching as he jumped in and absolutely as he put himself in harm’s way to hopefully have saved someone’s life,” Doherty said. “It’s an outstanding job. It was… impressive to watch.”
A lobsterman saved the life of a person who drove a reportedly stolen vehicle into the ocean Thursday at Portland’s East End beach, according to police. Photo by NBC 10 Boston
For Kourinos, this extraordinary feat was a mix of adrenaline, instinct, and a touch of compassion. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll accept the [hero] label. I’m not one to wear a cape. Just doing what came natural,” he said. Kourinos’ story stands as a testament to the unexpected heroism that can emerge from the most unlikely of places. Even from a lobster boat off the coast of Maine. Watch the story of this amazing rescue, below.
Sources: People | NBC Boston | USA Today
