Recently, 16-year-old Ethan Cakmak reacted quickly upon learning that a man drove his SUV into a freezing lake. Near Dobson and Queen Creek roads, the lake is near their apartment complex in Chandler, Arizona.
Ethan wasted no time as he fearlessly dove into the icy waters, determined to save the endangered driver. Erkan Cakmak, the boy’s father, shared with FOX10 that he was working from home when he heard a sudden noise from his balcony door.
On accessing the whole situation, he saw a car submerged in the nearby lake. Recognizing the urgency, Ethan jumped into the pool. He stated, “I realized that he needed help; he might drown. So, I ran outside, through the gate, took my shirt off, and took everything out of my pockets. And I jumped into the water.”
Immediately, the teen “sprung into the water,” and his father dialed 911. Upon reaching the submerged car, Ethan observed that the man was unconscious. However, according to a report from ABC15, he was still breathing.
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During an interview with FOX10, Ethan said, “I looked through the window, and I see the guy with his chin on his chest bobbing up and down because he was breathing.” He continued, “This is good because that means he’s alive, but his eyes were closed. And he wasn’t responding to any banging on the window.”
Despite the car having stopped sinking, Ethan couldn’t break a window to help the incapacitated man. Unbothered by the challenge, he swam back to shore. Emphasizing his belief in helping others, he proved his commitment during the incident.
Following the Cakmak’s efforts, first responders quickly arrived and pulled the man from the lake, according to a report from ABC15. The unidentified driver was then taken to the hospital for evaluation, according to FOX10.
Chandler Police Sgt. Ricky Gonzales commended the father and son duo for their quick and courageous response. While commending them, Gonzales said, “I think that is awesome. It goes to show that we are out here looking out for each other.”
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He continued, “Not just us, PD and fire, but also our private citizens. That’s pretty cool.” The teen said that helping others is crucial to him and is one of “his values.” He added, “Online, I see videos every once in a while of similar things happening to people where people are in danger or need help. People just ignore what’s going on around them.”
He continued, “I think as humans, we need to be a community for each other and to be there for each other when we need help. Help people when you can.” Meanwhile, the police are actively investigating the reason that led to the driver veering off the road.
A similar event occurred on February 3, 2024, when an Iowa teen saved 83-year-old Thomas Lee. Lee was heading to a fishing shack with his dog, Cooper when his vehicle entered East Okoboji Lake. According to a press release from the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Lee and Cooper “went through the ice” under the Highway 71 bridge.
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