Miami-Dade firefighters save tractor-trailer driver from canal

MDFR: Victim ran off road into canal, didn't know how to swim

MIAMI – Several Miami-Dade firefighters are being credited with saving the life of a tractor-trailer driver, after he ran off the road and crashed into a canal early Saturday morning.

Firefighters were called to the area of Southwest 8 Street about 20 miles west of Krome Avenue about 4:30 a.m. where the tractor trailer was submerged underwater in a canal.

Lt. Brandy Paternister, who is a rescue diver, was the first to arrive and jumped into the water alone. It took about 15 minutes before other units arrived to help.

Fire officials said it took about 45 minutes for Paternister and other divers to enter the cap of the truck and extricate the driver who was in an air pocket.

The driver, who does not know how to swim, was given one of the diver's mouthpieces to use as he was brought to land.

He was taken to a nearby hospital to get checked out and is said to be doing well.

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