An 81-year-old Washington man narrowly escaped tragedy Thursday night after accidentally driving into Lake Stevens. Quick-thinking bystanders, an off-duty firefighter, and rescue crews worked together to pull him to safety.

The incident took place at the North Cove boat launch after dark, at around 8:00 pm. Poor visibility induced by fog led the man to mistakenly drive down the boat ramp, sending his car into the frigid water.

A nearby witness immediately called 911 and jumped into the lake to help. With water temperatures around 40 degrees, conditions were dangerous for everyone involved.

Alex Fatkin, an off-duty firefighter and trained rescue diver, was home but had his radio turned on.

He overheard the call and quickly put on his wetsuit and snorkel gear. Fatkin made his way to the scene. By the time he arrived, the vehicle had floated about 100 feet from the dock and was rapidly sinking.

Fatkin entered the water, joining the Good Samaritan and the arriving rescue teams. Together, they secured the car and worked to free the driver. After being pulled from the vehicle, the elderly man was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The local citizen received on-site care for exposure to the cold water.

According to fire officials, the car drifted away from the shore due to its forward momentum, which is common in such accidents. They cautioned that still water can be mistaken for solid ground in low visibility, particularly near boat ramps.

Expert advice for escaping a submerged car

King5 News spoke with Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, which shared critical tips for escaping a sinking vehicle:

• Remain calm. Panicking wastes time and energy.
• Lower your windows immediately. Electric systems often fail as water floods the car.
• Unbuckle seatbelts and assist others if possible.
• Exit through the windows. Doors are typically impossible to open until water pressure equalizes.
• Focus on escaping, not on possessions.