CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A good Samaritan is being credited for rescuing three people Tuesday afternoon after their minivan ended up sideways in the Yadkin River north of Lenoir.
A minivan was on Highway 321 in the Patterson community when it slammed into the mountainside and then shot across the road and flipped into the river, troopers said.
John Cook was looking for a place to fish with his son when he saw the crash and rushed to help.
“(I) jumped out, ran over there,” Cook told Channel 9. “I assessed the situation. They were leaning on the creek, so I wasn’t sure how stable the van was, but there were people inside and couldn’t tell because there were airbags. I did what I could and finally got the side door open and started pulling them out.”
A wave of emotions hit him after things calmed down.
“I started bawling, praising God that I was there,” Cook said. “If it wasn’t for God, they would have probably been worse.”
The driver of the van, Patricia Wilson, was charged with driving while impaired and reckless driving, troopers said.
The 67-year-old woman, along with her family, were taken to a hospital, but their injuries were not serious.
Cook said he is thankful he could help and doesn’t consider his actions heroic.
“No sir, by no means,” Cook told Channel 9. “Not even qualified. Just following the will of God and doing what I’m supposed to and being at the right place at the right time.”
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