Heroic Dog Saves 81-Year-Old Man Who Fell From Wheelchair Into A Lake From Drowning

Once again, a dog has proven to be man's best friend. Eighty-one-year-old Harry Smith, who uses an electric wheelchair, was walking his dog near a lake in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Suddenly, his wheelchair lost traction, causing him to slide and flip into the lake. His nine-year-old Beagle mix Sarah immediately knew something was wrong as Smith, who couldn't swim and was struggling to stay afloat, started screaming for help.

“I tried to back around to get out of it and it went straight back instead and right down the embankment and dumped me right in the water,” he told WPTV.

“Sensing his owner was in trouble, his dog began to bark loudly which alerted two bystanders across the street,” the local police department wrote in a Facebook post.

“The bystanders rushed over to the lake and flagged down PSLPD Officer Doty who was driving on Airoso Blvd. Officer Doty exited his patrol vehicle and observed Mr. Smith was submerged up to his neck in the water.

The 2 bystanders and Officer Doty worked together to pull him out of the water and up the bank. Mr. Smith received medical attention on scene and was ok to return home.

Due to his electric wheelchair being damaged from falling in the water, Officer Doty and St. Lucie County Fire District assisted by pushing him back to his house.

We are thankful for Mr. Smith’s dog and the 2 bystanders that helped save his life!”

When Sarah barked loudly, Edward Suhling and Aby ‘Jacob' Chacko were quick to notice. “The dog was splashing in the water,” Suhling, 58, explained to the TCPalm.

“So we both ran over here and I jumped in the water, and my buddy grabbed his arms and I grabbed his legs and we got him up on shore.” Chacko, 49, added that he was able to flag down Officer Adam Doty for help at the time.

For Smith, it was a terrifying ordeal; he said he couldn’t have made it out on his own. “My legs don't work,” he said. “I can't push.” But thanks to his incredible dog, the good samaritans were able to notice Smith and offer help immediately.

“The dog was a real hero,” Suhling pointed out. “She's such a good dog. Everybody in this neighborhood loves her, they all look out for her,” Smith said.

“I gave her a treat,” Smith added, laughing. “I love her, always have, always will.”