Cab driver dives into an icy pond to save woman from drowning

We have all seen accidents and have called 911 on our cell phone's, but this man went well beond that he jumped into an icy pond, despite being told not to by 911 operators and saved the woman's life, story form BBC.

A woman whose car plunged into an icy pond has thanked a taxi driver who defied warnings not to go into the water to save her life.

James Brown, 41, was driving when he came across Caroline Saunders' car sinking in the village pond at Bishop Burton just before midnight on Tuesday.

Once he realised she was inside, he defied emergency call handlers pleas to stay out of the water.

Miss Saunders, 28, said: "He's a hero. I can't thank him enough."

Miss Saunders said when she saw Mr Brown's headlights she began pressing the horn of her submerged car.

The controller kept saying 'Please, please don't go into the pond,' but there was a car on its roof and it was sinking. I put the phone down and went in.

"I just banged frantically on the window, thinking come and help me, please come and help me, and luckily someone did," she said.

"He came and smashed the window and dragged me out and saved my life."

Father-of-one Mr Brown called 999 and fire service controllers told him to stay out of the water.

But he ignored their pleas and managed to smash the car window with a hammer he got from flagging down a passing motorist.

He said: "The controller kept saying 'Please, please don't go into the pond,' but there was a car on its roof and it was sinking. I put the phone down and went in.

"It was sinking down and filling water. Half the car was underwater already and and I could hear someone screaming and banging on the window.

"I shouted to her and she said she was the only one in the car. I was just so relieved she was talking to me.

"I smashed the window. I caused cuts to me and to her but at least she got out."

Fire crew manager Mike Davis from Beverley fire station said: "The taxi driver performed an exceptional rescue, his quick actions averted what was a potential fatal incident."