Dad Who Can’t Swim Bravely Saves His Toddler as Car Sinks in Floodwaters

Flash floods can be unpredictable and incredibly dangerous, turning roads into rivers in mere moments. For parents traveling with young children, the situation can quickly spiral into a nightmare.

That’s exactly what happened to Andre Randles, a father from England, who found himself trapped in rising floodwaters with his 11-month-old son, Luca, in the backseat.

Randles and his family had been navigating road closures due to heavy rain and melting snow when he was unknowingly directed onto a flooded road. The water seemed shallow at first, but an unexpected dip caused the vehicle to sink rapidly, leaving them with no way to turn back.

Randles, who doesn’t know how to swim, had no time to panic—only to act.

“As soon as I saw danger, saw the water coming into the car and we were no longer floating and starting to sink, something switched in me,” he told the BBC. “I thought, I need to get out and get Luca out.”

With water rushing in, Randles quickly rolled down the windows and climbed out. He then reached into the back and pulled Luca through the window, holding him high above the rising water as he waded to safety. Mere seconds later, the entire car was nearly submerged.

“The water was about chest high,” he told SkyNews. “I carried him above my head to make sure he stayed dry and warm.”

Photos of the stranded vehicle quickly spread on social media, prompting Randles’ partner, Paige Newsome, to comment.

“This is our car. Such a scary experience for my partner having to pull our 11-month-old baby out while the water was flooding in,” she wrote.

Residents familiar with the area say the road is notorious for flooding, and many have urged local officials to take action. Newsome expressed frustration that warnings about the dangerous conditions had gone unaddressed.

“To think that I could've actually lost them both makes me a bit emotional,” she reflected. “It’s just a horrible thing to think about.”

Fortunately, Randles and Luca found temporary refuge with a nearby resident while waiting for emergency crews. Though the experience was terrifying, Luca will remain blissfully unaware of just how close a call it really was.