Air pocket helps man beat death in San Jacinto River

ATASCOCITA, TX (KTRK) -- A man was saved with just seconds to live from his sinking car by first responders.

The unidentified man drove his car into flood waters that swallowed up Belleau Wood Drive near Riviera Lane.

The man's car began to sink. Neighbors heard the man banging on his car window and screaming for help. The man was able to breath for a short time from an air pocket in the vehicle.

First responders arrived on the scene and were able to get a rescue boat to the man. They broke his rear window and saved him. And just seconds later, he car sank to the bottom.

"We just back people if you see water on the road, I assume it's deep, find another way or wait for the water to go down and go later," said Atascocita District Chief Mike Mulligan.

The man was treated by paramedics and is okay.