A car plunged into a Freeport canal Tuesday morning - and thanks to the heroic efforts of a man who arrived in the U.S. from Ukraine four days ago - the driver is alive.

Authorities believe the male driver was likely going at a high rate of speed when he drove over a bulkhead and a boat and landed in the water.

It happened near Gordon Place.

Volodymyr Zubko, who’s visiting from Ukraine for a month and staying in Freeport, said he heard a noise and went to see what was happening.

He said he saw one leg, then another leg and decided to jump in. He said he doesn’t consider himself a hero.

Members of the Freeport Fire Department helped with the rescue. Authorities say the driver of the car is in critical condition.

Initially, first responders were told there was a second person in the vehicle, so local fire departments sent divers in the water.

It turned out that the driver was alone.