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Police: Witnesses, officers rescue husband and wife from water following Lindenhurst crash

Suffolk police say a car with two people in it left the road near Montauk Highway and Venetian Promenade in Lindenhurst and ended up in the water.

News 12 Staff

Oct 20, 2020, 2:16 AM

Updated 1,526 days ago

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Good Samaritans and multiple police officers are being credited in the rescue of a husband and wife after a car accident left their car submerged in a Lindenhurst canal.
Police say two vehicles were involved in a crash at Venetian Promenade and Montauk Highway just after noon Monday. Following the crash, the driver of one of the vehicles backed up into the eastbound side of Montauk Highway, where it was struck by a Mercury.
VIDEO: Surveillance footage shows the moment the car crashes into the water
The Mercury crashed through a fence, sending it into a canal.
According to police, five witnesses and two Suffolk police officers jumped into the water to rescue the two people inside.
Mustafa Tosum was working at his auto body shop A&M Motorsports when he heard the crash.
"I had to do something. I gave my phone and my wallet to my partners ... I jumped in the water," says Tosum. "Then he's crying 'Please save my love, my wife, we're married almost 57 years.' I said oh my God, I hope she's alright."
The 78-year-old driver was pulled from the vehicle while the driver's 76-year-old wife was unconscious and had to be extricated by breaking a window.
Once brought out of the water, Suffolk police say a Lake Success police officer administered CPR to the woman, and her pulse and breathing were restored.
The husband and wife in the Mercury, one of the witnesses, both Suffolk officers and a driver in the original incident were all transported to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
Crews pulled the car out of the water a few hours later and towed it away. Police say no one is being charged in connection with the crashes.