A terrifying morning at New Smyrna Beach turned into a miraculous display of quick thinking and heroism when local deputies pulled a drowning woman from the ocean and brought her back to life.
At approximately 10:15 a.m., alert beachgoers flagged down Volusia Sheriff’s deputies regarding a swimmer in distress. Deputy Gourley sprang into action, locating the 68-year-old victim floating face down in the water and swiftly pulling her to shore.
The situation was incredibly grim: the woman was completely unresponsive and without a pulse.
Without hesitation, Deputy Gourley and Deputy Manhart initiated CPR. Their relentless efforts paid off, and they were successfully able to revive her right there on the sand. Beach Safety soon arrived to take over life-saving measures, and the victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The Volusia Sheriff's Office noted that life-saving awards are forthcoming for the deputies involved. However, the incident also highlights the crucial role of the bystanders who spotted the woman and sounded the alarm. Witness Monica Orel Blankenship captured the gratitude of the crowd, stating, “We witnessed this today at the beach. The rescue efforts were amazing! Thank you to our first responders!”
Beyond honoring the deputies' heroic actions, the rescue serves as a massive wake-up call regarding the importance of emergency preparedness. As commenter Rachelle Alford pointed out, this event is “a powerful reminder that CPR saves lives and everyone should learn how to do it.”
In a digital landscape often dominated by negativity, this raw footage of a life being saved resonated deeply with viewers. Commenter Robert Underwood perfectly summed up the emotional impact: "No other high than saving someone else’s life or just coming to the aid of someone in need. Always better to see these type of videos than those who want to hurt others."
Thanks to the sharp eyes of fellow beachgoers and the immediate, decisive actions of Deputies Gourley and Manhart, a tragedy was averted at New Smyrna Beach.
(Courtesy of Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Subscribe to The Bright Story and step into a world of hope, wonder, and humanity at its best. With unlimited access, discover powerful personal journeys, heartwarming family and animal stories, incredible discoveries, and the everyday kindness that makes life brighter.