In a harrowing incident in Florida, police snipers were called in to provide cover for rescue divers after a minivan lost control and crashed into a retention pond filled with alligators. The terrifying ordeal unfolded as the vehicle overturned and careened off the roadway into the pond.
As the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials and rescue divers initiated a search for survivors, police snipers maintained overwatch. Additional officers surrounded the pond with long guns to offer support in case divers faced threats from the alligators lurking in the water.
Upon the initial crash, courageous bystanders rushed into the water to assist. However, they were promptly ordered out by the police due to the imminent danger posed by the alligators. While no shots were fired, onlookers observed alligators on the water’s surface, closely monitoring the rescue efforts.
Moment SNIPERS provide cover for rescue divers as they search alligator-infested pond for a car & survivors.
Mario Laza & mom Nieves Matos were on #FloridaTurnpike noon on Friday when the driver lost control, but they survived & went local ER🐊😳#WSVN 👍 pic.twitter.com/y9Af2qMfZb
— Mr Pål Christiansen (@TheNorskaPaul) June 2, 2022
Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Alex Camacho provided details, stating, “The vehicle lost control, overturned, driving off of the roadway into the pond,” said Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Alex Camacho told reporters. “Dive teams from fire rescue and Miami-Dade Police did their search and rescue and were able to rescue an adult female and adult male inside of the vehicle at the time.”
Tragically, despite the first responders administering CPR to the woman, the man pulled from the wreckage did not survive. The female victim remains hospitalized. The victims were identified as Mario Laza, 56, and his mother, Nieves Matos, 80.
Laura Hernandez, who set up a Gofundme page to help with funeral expenses, stated, “Mario was a person who, just by meeting him once, you would never forget…he was someone full of life, laughter and good times to share, with a giant heart and a unique personality.”
