Teen rescues driver who accidentally drove into Lake Winnipesaukee

A New Hampshire 18-year-old is being hailed a hero for saving a stranger's life.

Zach Cray was about to go fishing Monday at Lake Winnipesaukee when he heard a loud crash.

A Subaru SUV was beginning to sink with its 82-year-old driver still at the wheel after firefighters say she accidentally accelerated over the town docks and drove into the lake.

"I saw the roof and the hood of the car, so I threw my stuff down and started running that way with my phone to dial 911," said Cray.

Without hesitation, the Wolfeboro resident jumped in and swam over to the woman as the water creeped up her neck.

"She said she didn't want to drown. I promised her I wouldn't let her and I just tried walking her through the motions of getting her out," said Cray.

With the help of another good Samaritan, Cray pulled the woman through the driver's side window, which fortunately, was already rolled down.

"She was unbuckled when I got there so she basically put her hands through the window and I started pulling her out and the water was high enough she basically floated out the window," said Cray.

The teen then got the woman to shore where others helped pull them to safety, completely unharmed.

"I'm just grateful that I was there and if I was five minutes later or earlier, I wouldn't have been there, so I'm glad the world aligned at that moment," said Cray.

Boston 25 News reporter Jacob Long spoke with the woman in the SUV. She says she and her family are incredible thankful for his actions and that she is OK.

She says the only thing that did get hurt is her pride.

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