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Video shows officer rescue elderly man who drove into West Bloomfield pond

Posted at 12:24 PM, Nov 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-24 13:57:11-05

(WXYZ) — New video shows the moments before a life-saving rescue in West Bloomfield. An elderly man was stuck in his car after somehow ending up in a small pond.

It happened Sunday morning in a subdivision just off 14 Mile and Haggerty. Officer Lang, who's been with the West Bloomfield Police Department for less than five years, arrived after a call of a man in distress.

"At the time, he didn't actually know that the vehicle had been in the pond for an hour already," Deputy Chief Curt Lawson said.

It's still unclear how the 93-year-old driver ended up in the pond. You hear him continue to plea for help.

Officer Lang offering encouragement before he removed his gun belt and waded into the cold water himself to rescue the man.

"Keep focusing, you got it boss," Officer Lang is heard saying.

"He was able to get to the door open and he was able to carry that gentleman to the shore and turn him over to the medical personnel," Lawson said.

At last check, the elderly driver is recovering today, thanks in no small part to the quick actions of Officer Lang, who arrived without a second more to spare.