Louisiana Shuttle Driver Rescues 3 Tourists From Rip Current Off Grand Isle
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Louisiana Shuttle Driver Rescues 3 Tourists From Rip Current Off Grand Isle
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Summary
Jordan Matthew, a Louisiana shuttle driver with no formal lifeguard training, pulled three Oklahoma tourists from a rip current near Elmer’s Island after a boy, a woman and then a third swimmer were swept out.
Matthew told WWL he first moved the boy and one woman into shallower water, led them ashore, then swam back for the second woman, hauling her in and at one point carrying her over his shoulder.
Louisiana’s wildlife and fisheries department said in a June 13 post that Matthew’s “decisive action” got all three out safely and called his response heroic.
NOAA says rip currents kill about 100 people a year in the United States; Matthew warned beachgoers that deceptively calm water can signal a dangerous current.