Cape Girardeau man jumps into floodwaters to save trapped driver

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – As floodwaters covered South Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, Tacon Madre owner Miguel Morales sprang into action to save a driver whose vehicle became submerged in a roadside culvert.

Morales said he was working in his food truck when he saw a vehicle leave a nearby parking lot and enter a flooded culvert along South Kingshighway.

“I tried to save him; his life is important, you know, and I tried to save him when I saw it,” Morales said.

Heavy flooding had obscured the roadway, and the vehicle went underwater after striking a concrete bridge structure.

“Nobody stopped or was looking at what happened. I needed to save this guy’s life because the water was sucking in the car,” Morales said.

When the driver failed to surface, Morales said he knew he had to act.

“I called 911 and I’m thinking 911 will send somebody. I gave the phone to somebody and tried to save the life of this guy,” he said.

Morales waded into neck-deep floodwaters and was able to pull the driver from the submerged vehicle and bring him to safety.

The rescue came as Cape Girardeau experienced what city officials described as an extraordinary weather event. Mayor Robbie Guard said multiple inches of rain fell in about an hour, overwhelming drainage systems and causing flooded roadways, stalled vehicles and localized flooding throughout the city.

Cape Girardeau Fire Department officials said several crashes were reported along South Kingshighway as floodwaters created hazardous driving conditions.

City crews, emergency personnel and public works employees worked throughout the evening to respond to flooded areas and assist residents. Officials urged motorists to avoid flooded streets and never drive through standing water.