Eddie Hunnell saved Leslie Worth from drowning, Grassy Creek, North Carolina, September 27, 2024. After the flooded North Fork New River knocked her house from its foundation during Hurricane Helene, Worth, 66, jumped out of a window into the river while wearing a life jacket and was swept downstream by the estimated 8 m.p.h. current among pieces of her house and others, furniture, trees, and other debris. Hunnell, 57, software engineer, had climbed into a canoe downstream while wearing a life vest and saw Worth floating toward him. He tried to paddle to her upstream but could not make progress against the current. Hunnell then jumped overboard and swam into the middle of the river to intercept Worth. He grabbed her life vest, told her to float on her back, and held onto her as the river carried them about 600 feet to an area where the river widened but grew calmer. There, Hunnell was able to swim across the weakened current while towing Worth to the riverbank. Both were able to walk out of the water and then onto the bank with helpfrom others. Worth was not hurt. Hunnell was tired but unhurt.
