Off-duty paramedic saves woman thrown from jet ski

MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK)—A Matlacha Pine Island Fire Control District engineer paramedic rescued a jet ski crash victim while off-duty fishing near Picnic Island on Sunday morning.

Bill Saunders was fly fishing around 9:30 a.m. near Picnic Island when he witnessed a jet ski strike a channel marker. The victim was thrown through the air, and the jet ski immediately sank.

"I was right in the middle of that cast and all of a sudden I seen the jet ski hit the channel marker," Saunders said. "And immediately the victim went flying through the air, the jet ski came to immediate hold and started sinking."

Saunders, who has 25 years of experience in fire and EMS service, immediately threw down his fishing rod and headed toward the victim. When he arrived, he found the woman face down in the water, unresponsive and having trouble breathing. Her husband had jumped from his jet ski and was swimming toward her.

With help from another boater, they pulled the victim into the second boat. Saunders directed the boat operator to the Waterfront Restaurant while calling 911, knowing a first responder boat would take at least 30 minutes to reach the remote location.

"This patient as critical as she was, I knew that time we couldn't waste and sitting there," Saunders said. "We had to get to land, had to get her help immediately."

Saunders estimated his quick response cut at least 45 minutes off the response time. He credited the woman's life vest with saving her life, noting she would have sunk beneath the water without it.

"I still can't believe that actually happened right there in front of me," Saunders said.

The victim later called Saunders to thank him, a rare occurrence in his 25-year career. Saunders said he doesn't expect recognition for his work, calling emergency response a calling rather than just a job.

"This is a calling," Saunders said. "We are called to do this and we answer that call every single day."

Saunders emphasized the importance of water safety, familiarity with waterways and wearing life vests. He said the incident reminded him how quickly life can change.

"I hope that she takes this incident in her life and just always remains humble and, you know, let that show you what's really important in life," Saunders said. "It's not our jobs, it's not our careers, but our family, our loved ones, and the time that we get to spend together with them, and how short that really is that we get here, that that's the most important thing."

The FWC is investigating the crash.