This week I did a story about an amazing rescue that took place during the recent flooding in Shreveport.  One of the heroes and the teenager who was rescued walked me through what happened.  The story airs Monday night at 10:00 on KTBS.  After that, you can watch it online by clicking here.   Here’s a preview.   

17-year-old Tim Prestridge doesn’t know how to swim.  Even if he did, he’d have been no match for the swift current that suddenly hit the corner of Lister and Alexander Streets in Shreveport’s Highland neighborhood. 

Prestridge got swept away in the current of the floodwaters and wound up hanging on for life to a guard rail with water rushing over his head.  Prestridge remembers the fear.  “If I would have let go, I would have gotten thrown in that ditch right there and after that, it was like a whirlpool.  You couldn’t get up, seriously.  That’s how close I was to dying.”     

Two of Prestridge’s neighbors heard his cries for help.  David Hudson and Justin Sullens sprung into action, fighting the current themselves, and rescued Prestridge.  “And I thought, alright, alright, man up,” said Sullens. 

While Sullens is trained in water rescue and says he knew how to read the current, neither hero likes the distinction that comes from such a rescue.  “I didn’t really get out here and try to help people for the recognition.  I mean, that’s not God’s way,” said Sullens.  Hudson wouldn’t even be interviewed. 

Prestridge feels lucky to be alive and says the world would be a better place if more people had the level of concern Hudson and Sullens showed him.

Sullens says he believes angels were watching over all three that night, helping them.       

One of our commenters, Sparky, is a new dad!  His wife, Jennifer, just gave birth to a baby boy!  Little Cameron James weighs 5 lbs, 15 ounces and is 20″ in length.  Congratulations Sparky!