Good Samaritan Jumps Into Lake to Save Drowning Woman
Harrowing moments occurred at Lindo Lake in California on August 2, 2022 when 56-year-old Scott Wolfe rescued a drowning woman.
The good Samaritan told KGTV that as he took his evening walk, he heard two women arguing, with one yelling “to herself” and walking in and out of traffic.
The report states that “Bystanders called 911. Wolfe says about seven deputies and five park rangers arrived, as the woman jumped into the lake.”
According to witnesses, the woman stood in thigh-deep water cursing and occasionally submerging face down in the lake about 15-20 feet off shore.
“Deputies say the woman was intoxicated, refused to come to shore, and threatened to tip over the park’s kayak if it came near her. Deputies requested a search and rescue boat and a crisis negotiation team when Wolfe realized the woman had been under for some 30 seconds.”
That’s when, urged on by another bystander, Wolfe went in after the woman.
“‘First thing I yelled was, ‘She’s unresponsive. She’s not breathing.’ I was praying in my head, ‘God help us save her. God help us save her,’ said Wolfe.'”
Several of the gathered deputies helped them to shore and after several moments of CPR, the woman was breathing again.
Wolfe is quoted as saying, “‘Never be afraid to do what you’re supposed to do. I wasn’t going to go home and think about her dying without me doing anything.'”
Lt. Amber Baggs with the Sheriff’s media relations provided a detailed explanation about the incident and the involvement of the deputies at the scene. East County Magazine provided these details from Lt. Baggs:
“Yes our Lakeside deputies were on that call. The female was extremely intoxicated and went swimming in Lindo Lake. Our deputies repeatedly tried to get her to swim and/or walk back to shore. Our deputies offered her bottled water, food, and a towel.
“Deputies were going to use a kayak to go in the water, but the woman said she was going to tip it over. Deputies requested a boat from the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team and also requested Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations Team.
“Deputies remained at the lake so they could continually watch the woman and continue to speak with her, as they waited for the additional resources.
“Lt. Baggs adds, ‘After some time, the woman appeared to be in distress and remained under water. A good Samaritan citizen entered the water, as well as deputies. Sheriff’s deputies grabbed the woman and pulled her to shore.
“The woman did not have a pulse, so deputies immediately performed life-saving measures and started CPR. Within a few minutes of performing CPR, the woman expelled water from her mouth and began breathing on her own.
“She was transported to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. We are very appreciative of the good Samaritan who assisted in these efforts, as well as the County Parks staff from Lindo Lake.'”
