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Off-Duty Firefighter Becomes Hero in Flood Rescue
1 Jun
Summary
- Firefighter rescued a principal from a submerged car during heavy rain.
- He broke the sunroof with his fist to save the trapped woman.
- The rescue occurred on Jackie Robinson Parkway in New York City.
An off-duty FDNY firefighter demonstrated extraordinary heroism when he rescued a woman trapped in a car submerged by severe flash floods on New York City's Jackie Robinson Parkway. Travis Langan, of Ladder 123, encountered the scene where P.S. 81 principal Carmen Pinto's vehicle was rapidly filling with water on Wednesday, May 20. Despite the dangerous conditions, Langan acted swiftly, breaking the sunroof with his fist and pulling Pinto to safety just as her car was nearly fully submerged. The reunion between Langan and Pinto, held on Friday, May 22, was an emotional testament to his bravery. Officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, lauded Langan's selflessness, emphasizing that his commitment to service extends beyond his scheduled shifts. Mamdani noted Langan's wife is nine months pregnant, making his decision to help even more remarkable. Pinto expressed profound gratitude, calling Langan an 'angel' and a 'real superhero.'
