911 Recording Captures Woman's Terror As Car Sinks Into Water

SEFFNER, FL — Twenty-year-old Amanda Nicole Antonio couldn’t contain her tears when she came face to face with those she described as her personal angels. A simple “thank you” seemed insufficient for the people responsible for saving her life.

See related story: Seffner Woman Rescued From Car Overturned In Water-Filled Ditch

It had been only three days since Antonio was returning home to Seffner from a New Year’s Eve party at 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 1. She was driving her boyfriend’s Toyota Scion east on Interstate 4, approaching the U.S. 301 exit ramp when another car cut her off. Antonio swerved and fought to keep the car under control but failed. The car left the highway, sped down an embankment, flipped over several times and then landed upside-down in a ditch filled with waist-deep water. A fog had rolled in and, from the highway, her car was nearly invisible.

As muddy water began seeping into the car, Antonio had the presence of mind to reach for her Apple watch and ping her cell phone. The phone was already submerged but Antonio was able to reach it. She was surprised to find the water-saturated phone still working.

She called 911 and dispatcher Cheyanne Allen answered her call for help.

“Hi, I’ve been in a car accident. My car is flipped and I can’t see anything. There’s water getting in the car and I can’t get out,” Antonio tells Allen in a surprisingly calm voice.

Minutes pass as Allen quizzes Antonio for more information on her location while simultaneously dispatching sheriff’s deputies to the scene.

“I’m freezing,” says Antonio.

“How deep is the water,” asks Allen.

“Now it’s up to my chest, Antonio responds. “My phone was in the water so I don’t know if it’s going to keep working.”

As the water continues to rise, Antonio’s labored breathing can be heard on the 911 recording.

“I’m so scared. The water’s coming in deeper and deeper and deeper. It’s past my chest,” she tells Allen. “Please hurry. I’m scared. I’m really scared.”

Allen keeps Antonio talking and learns that Antonio’s 21st birthday is just four days away.

“Are you excited about your birthday?” asks Allen.

Antonio shows a sense of humor despite the harrowing circumstances.

“Well … not now,” she answers.

As the minutes pass, Antonio momentarily loses her composure and begins to cry.

“Keep talking to me,” says Allen. “I’m right here with you.”

As the water reaches Antonio’s chin, there’s a moment of panic.

“My phone’s dying. My phone’s on 5 percent. Please, please, please help me,” she pleads.

Suddenly, she hears a voice outside the car. Help had arrived. Twenty terrifying minutes had passed since she called 911.

Allen stayed on the phone with Antonio as Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies Jeremy Pollack and Chris Pollack arrived. They could see that Antonio’s car was sinking into the swampy ditch. Realizing they didn’t have time to wait for fire rescue crews to arrive before the car was completely submerged, the deputies waded into the ditch and struggled to free Antonio.

Antonio was taken to Tampa General Hospital where, amazingly, she only had minor injuries.

Two days later, on Jan. 3, Hillsborough Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski arranged a reunion between Antonio and the deputies and dispatcher who saved her life.

“Amanda should be commended for her ability to keep calm under immense pressure,” said Luscynski. “She really did help save herself as much as the heroic efforts of our dispatcher and deputies.”

Antonio’s parents were also anxious to thank the people responsible for ensuring that their daughter celebrated her 21st birthday.

“These people are angels,” said her father, Julio Perez.

Images via Hillsborough Sheriff

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