It started with a sudden striking of water and ended with a harrowing life and death situation at Isle of Palms Marina. Around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, Islander 71 staff members Johnny Himmelsbach and Shannon Standhart were outside cleaning up and about to head home after a long weekend night.
“And we heard this strange splash,” said Standhart, the restaurant’s bar manager. “We looked at each other as if something wasn’t quite right – and when we went to look, there was an SUV slowly submerging in the water.”
In an instant, Himmelsbach jumped a fence, raced to the edge of the marina, jumped in water 11-13 feet deep and swam to the SUV – while Standhart simultaneously phoned 911 and ran to summon firefighters from IOP Fire Station 2 only a block away.
When Himmelsbach reached the vehicle, he saw an elderly couple inside and water already up to the seats.
“They were slightly in shock, but had the presence of mind to roll down the windows.”
Bar assistant Cash Luther ran to assist Himmelsbach, noting that “it was kind of strange to see a car in the water,” as they both worked to pull the couple to safety.
“And by the time we got them back to the dock, their vehicle had already sunk and all we could see was lights underwater,” Himmelsbach said. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.”
An EMS unit arrived shortly thereafter to make sure the couple was ok. The rescued couple had been visiting IOP from the Chicago area. They drove their rented SUV off a boat ramp, not realizing where they were.
“The driver stated that he was following GPS instructions and got confused,” said IOPPD Sgt. Matt Storen. “Once he realized the error, it was too late and the vehicle went into the water. When Charleston County dispatch received the 911 call, the first officer arrived at 10:29 p.m.”
Islander 71 general manager Christopher Sollom not only praised the efforts of Himmelsbach, Standhart and Luther, but acknowledged the luck of the timing because “we had closed up for the night and could have just as easily been gone. Instead, we were all in the right place at the right time for a coordinated effort and I am so proud of all of them.”
“Everything happened so fast – it felt like a movie,” Standhart said. “Johnny didn’t bat an eye – he acted on instinct, and it was all over in about 5 minutes. But this could have been a totally different outcome and we can’t stop thinking about that – angels on our side for sure.”
By L. C. Leach III
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