An 18-year-old from Boca Raton, Florida, is being hailed as a hero after rescuing several motorists trapped in a sudden flash flood.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, Thomas Ruzzano was leaving the movie theater at Mizner Park with his girlfriend when a heavy storm hit, reports WPTV and Local 10 News.
“During the movie, we just heard lightning, pouring the whole movie and then on the way out, we’re in a flood,” Ruzzano recalled to WPTV. The city had been drenched by about eight inches of rain, with strong winds and lightning battering the area.
As he and his girlfriend made their way through the parking area, they noticed cars trapped in deep water. “We were going down the road, and we just see cars backed up. The whole roundabout, the whole entire garage, everything — even the bathrooms in the movie theaters — flooded,” he said.
Ruzzano estimated that around two feet of water filled the parking garage and soon realized people were stranded. “I went from car to car,” he told the station, adding that he helped “probably six or seven people” while checking to make sure everyone was safe.
Others soon joined in the effort, including those who helped rescue an elderly man stuck in his seatbelt as water rose above his shoulders, according to Local 10 News.
“He was actually stuck in the car, and we had to help him out. I think he was a little lost of the whole situation, so we helped him,” Ruzzano said. “He was trying to push the car after we got him out, and we were like, ‘No sir, we just have to get you to safety, make sure you’re okay.’ We brought him to a restaurant nearby and just made sure he’s okay.”
Ruzzano credited his quick instincts to lessons from his father. “He always taught me and raised me right,” he said, adding that he was simply thankful “everyone’s okay.”
“It’s very fortunate how things played out,” he told Local 10 News.
Ruzzano said the people he rescued “were just very thankful and kept telling me how lucky they were to have me there.”
After the ordeal, his father proudly shared a clip of his son’s interview on Facebook, writing, “Another interview with my heroic son — Mom and Dad are so proud of you.”
