Province of Rimini, Italy - April 28, 2024

On the morning of Sunday, April 28th, Vigili del Fuoco and law enforcement swiftly responded to a distress call on Via Sinistra del Porto. Reports indicated that a vehicle, with a man at the wheel, had careened into the waters of the canal port.

Emergency crews, including divers from Vigili del Fuoco, immediately initiated search and rescue efforts to retrieve the driver from the submerged vehicle. Amidst the chaotic scene, a 42-year-old fisherman, seated at the nearby Bussola bar, heroically leaped into action. Upon hearing the cries for help, he rushed to the water's edge and bravely attempted to save the trapped driver.

"I heard the screams; initially, I thought children playing nearby had fallen from their bikes. But then I realized the severity of the situation and dove into the water to try to save him. I didn't do anything special; I just tried," recounted the courageous fisherman.

Despite the valiant efforts of the bystander and the rescue teams, tragically, the driver succumbed to the ordeal. His lifeless body was recovered from the canal port's depths around 1:00 PM. Authorities have confirmed that there were no other individuals involved in the incident.