Nationwide — Shedly Apollon, an African American woman from Fort Pierce, Florida, survived a crash that left her in a sinking car and then gave birth hours later. Logan Hayes, who happened to be driving by at that moment, was hailed a hero for rescuing her after her car sank quickly in a pond on I-95 West near Stuart.
Apollon was driving to a prenatal massage appointment when she began feeling faint and lost control of her vehicle. Her car veered off the highway and plunged into a pond, quickly submerging both doors. “I was banging on the window like, ‘Someone save me,’ because normal people — they just drive by and record instead of assist,” she said, according to People.
Hayes, a passerby, noticed the sinking car and immediately jumped into action. He swam about 30 feet from the shore to reach the vehicle. He recalled, “I swam up to the car, the back passenger door was the only door that was… luckily, it was the closest door as well as it was kind of the only door that was still enough above water.”
Apollon was rushed to Lawnwood Hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section. Her daughter, Ivory Sully, was born at 33 weeks and was healthy. Apollon described holding her baby for the first time as “surreal.”
That day also happened to be Apollon’s 29th birthday, making the moment even more special. She said sharing a birthday with her daughter created a bond “tighter than ever.”
Her fiancé, Woodly Sully, called the rescue miraculous. “She came out with no scratches, and the only way I can explain this is — that’s God,” he said. Apollon later FaceTimed Hayes to thank him and virtually introduced him to her newborn daughter.
Martin County Fire & Rescue and a dive team assisted at the scene, ensuring both mother and baby received immediate medical care. Authorities confirmed Hayes’ quick thinking prevented the car from being fully submerged before Apollon was rescued.
“I was just kind of dumbfounded, to be honest. Like, I just couldn’t believe that happened. Couldn’t believe that at that exact moment I happened to be driving by at the exact time,” Hayes said.