Florida man rescues pregnant driver from pond before baby's birth

A passerby, Logan Hayes, jumped into a cold pond in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 6 to free 34‑week pregnant Sheldy Apollon after her car sank; she was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood and delivered a daughter by emergency C-section hours later.

A passerby in southeast Florida jumped into a cold pond to rescue a pregnant driver whose vehicle had slid into the water. The woman, Sheldy Apollon, was about 34 weeks pregnant and had been feeling dizzy while driving on the morning of Feb. 6. Logan Hayes, who was in the area, reached the sinking car, opened a rear passenger door and helped Apollon out of the vehicle. Emergency teams were already arriving as the pair reached shore and Apollon was taken to hospital. What is known: - Apollon was reported to be 34 weeks pregnant and had pre-eclampsia; she had been driving to a prenatal appointment arranged by her fiancé when she felt dizzy and pulled over. - The vehicle went into a pond; temperatures were reported in the low 40s Fahrenheit and a cold weather advisory was in effect that day. - Logan Hayes of Sebastian entered the water, opened the rear passenger door, and helped Apollon exit the car and swim roughly 50 feet to shore. - Emergency responders and rescue divers checked the scene and confirmed no one else remained in the vehicle. - Apollon was treated at HCA Florida Lawnwood in Fort Pierce, where doctors performed an emergency C-section and she delivered a daughter, Ivory Atara, weighing 3 lb 14 oz. - Hospital officials and family members publicly expressed gratitude to Hayes; the hospital's chief of trauma said the initial rescue made a critical difference. Summary: The rescue by Logan Hayes enabled Sheldy Apollon to reach emergency care, where an emergency C-section led to the birth of her daughter, Ivory Atara. Undetermined at this time.