A 16-year-old Black boy was officially recognized as a hero after he risked his life to save four people, including a cop, according to ABC News.
Corion Evans was presented with the Certificate of Commendation on Tuesday (July 5) for his brave actions over the holiday weekend in his hometown Moss Point, Mississippi. WLOX reports that Evans was near the Pascagoula River on Sunday (July 4) when a vehicle carrying three girls drove into the water.
As the vehicle sank into the river, the fearless teen took off some of his clothes and cellphone and dove into the water.
“I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water,’” he recounted to WLOX. “So, I just started getting them. I wasn’t even thinking about nothing else. I was behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time.”
Evans’ friend Karon “KJ” Bradley and Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer also participated in the rescue efforts. Things became dire again as the 16-year-old spotted the cop struggling in the water.
“I turned around. I see the police officer. He’s drowning. He’s going underwater, drowning, saying, ‘Help!’” Evans told reporters. “So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer and I’m like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk… My legs were so tired after. Anything could’ve been in that water, though. But I wasn’t thinking about it.”
Police say the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. when the driver was following her GPS. She didn’t realize she was driving toward Pascalouga River until it was too late. The three girls and Officer Mercer were taken to the hospital and are recovering.
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