A 16-year-old high school student is being hailed as a hero after rescuing three teenage girls and a police officer from drowning when a car drove into the Pascagoula River.
The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. when the vehicle plunged off a boat launch and began to sink. Hearing the screams, Corion Evans quickly stripped off his shirt and shoes and jumped into the water.
Evans, an experienced swimmer, pushed through exhaustion to keep the girls afloat and guided them to safety. When Officer Gary Mercer entered the river to assist, he was pulled underwater by one of the panicked teens. Evans swam back to help, pulling the officer to shallower water.
All four were treated at a hospital and survived. City officials later honored Evans with a certificate of commendation, crediting his quick action with preventing tragedy.
“I couldn’t let any of them die,” Evans said.
