Midnight Plunge: 16-Year-Old Rescues Four from Drowning River

​MOSS POINT, Miss. — What began as a quiet late-night gathering by the Pascagoula River transformed into a harrowing scene of survival when a GPS navigational error sent a vehicle plunging into the dark, swift waters. Thanks to the extraordinary courage of 16-year-old Corion Evans, a potential tragedy became a story of remarkable heroism.

​In the early hours of a July morning, a car carrying three teenage girls drove straight off the I-10 boat launch. Unaware that they were heading toward an open waterway due to misleading GPS directions, the driver watched helplessly as the vehicle floated roughly 20 feet from shore before beginning to sink rapidly.

​Hearing the frantic cries for help, Corion Evans did not hesitate. Tossing aside his phone, shirt, and shoes, the local teenager plunged into the murky water.

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​”I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water,'” Evans recalled in an interview.

​Drawing on swimming skills he had honed since childhood, Evans—with assistance from his friend Karon “KJ” Bradley—managed to guide the panicked victims onto the roof of the sinking car before swimming them safely to shore one by one.

​Yet, the danger was far from over. Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer had arrived at the scene and entered the water to assist. Amid the chaos, one of the distressed teenagers pulled the officer underwater, causing him to swallow water and begin drowning.

​Hearing cries for help once more, an exhausted Evans turned back into the river for a fourth time. He reached the struggling officer, grabbed hold of him, and battled the current to pull him back to a safe standing depth.

​In total, three teenagers and one police officer owe their lives to the teenager’s split-second decision.

​Local officials quickly showered the young hero with praise. Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley commended his selflessness, noting that without intervention, the accident could have resulted in a devastating loss of life. Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight formally honored Evans with a Certificate of Commendation, emphasizing the rarity and power of putting others above oneself.

​For Marquita Evans, the night’s events came as a shock; she initially believed her son had simply missed curfew, completely unaware he was risking his life in the dark river. She later shared her pride online, calling him her hero.

​Reflecting on the harrowing ordeal, Evans proved that true bravery requires no formal uniform—only an instinct to protect those in peril.

​Heroic Teenager Recounts Saving 3 Girls And Police Officer From Drowning In Sinking Vehicle

​This video provides an authentic recount of the dramatic rescue directly from the perspective of the individuals involved.