ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — A North Carolina man is being called a hero after he risked his own life to save a woman from Hurricane Helene's raging floodwaters in Ashe County.
Cellphone video shows the moment the waters carried away a home with the woman inside. That's when Eddie Hunnell, who happened to be in Grassy Creek for his son's wedding, jumped into action. Hunnell said he saw the home coming down the river when he noticed a group of onlookers screaming for help.
As the group watched in horror at what was happening, Hunnel realized it was now or never.
"When it was happening, I was trying to make the calculated risk of, 'How do we save her?'" Hunnell told WRAL.
Without hesitation, Hunnell jumped into the floodwaters with only a rope and a life vest. He braved the strong current of the New River and reached Leslie Worth. He was then able to get her to the bank safely.
"I grew up swimming on a swim team," he said. "I was a lifeguard. I'm in OK shape, but I couldn't watch her die."
Worth and her husband, Phil, posed with Hunnell for a photo after the breathtaking rescue. While they lost all their belongings, they're grateful to be alive. They were even honorary guests at the wedding's rehearsal dinner.
"It didn't hit me until I laid down in bed that night and about had a panic attack, but I didn't see another option," Hunnell said.
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