5 UGA students rescue mom, 2 kids from creek in Sardis
SARDIS, Ga. (WJBF) – Five University of Georgia students are now being called heroes after a car crash in Sardis last Friday.
Cori Craft was driving from Savannah to Augusta with her two sons on Friday when she lost control of her car on Murray Hill Road.
“I guess I was too close to the edge of the road, hit a pothole or a bump or something, and lost control of the car,” Craft said. “Next thing you know, I was in the water.”
The car grazed the Briar Creek Bridge guardrail, and plummeted for nearly 140 feet before crashing into the creek.
“I unbuckled and immediately started reaching around to try and get out, and actually was able to get out through the sunroof that had shattered,” Craft said. “And then when I got up, it was immediately get my kids.”
Whether you want to call it divine intervention or just plain luck, UGA students Jane McArdle, Molly McCollum, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones, and Kaitlyn Iannace were driving the opposite way and saw the whole accident.
“It was a miracle. They were going to Savannah to St. Patrick’s day, and how they ended up going that route I’ll never know,” said Col. Jimmy Wylds with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. “But, it’s a miracle that they were there.”
The girls turned around, and helped rescue the family before first responders were able to get there.
“Four of the five might’ve jumped in, and I think one of them called 911,” Craft said. “Whenever I got my youngest out of the car, one of the girls did CPR on him to get him to breathe again, getting water out of his lungs.”
If it wasn’t for the girls’ bravery, Craft thinks there would’ve been a different outcome.
ALSO ON WJBF: Documentary from former Evans resident to hit big screen
“I’m just super grateful that those girls were there. The outcome would not have been nearly as good if they weren’t because I don’t know how long it would’ve actually taken me to get to my youngest son,” she said. “So, without them, I don’t know if my youngest would still be here. They didn’t have to stop and do what they did, but they did and I’m very thankful for it.”
Col. Wylds said if you’re to find yourself in the same situation, there’s some things to remember.
“You’re not gonna be able to push the door open, you got to find a way to get the window down or get the window busted and try to get out. But, the main thing is not to panic,” he said.
Craft and her sons were released from the hospital over the weekend. She said she didn’t have time to speak with the girls after the crash, so plans may be in the works to meet with them in-person. They weren’t available for an interview on Tuesday.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
