Lifeguard's heroic pool rescue
New Canaan Lifeguard Saves Driver from Tesla Submerged in Closed Pool
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A man drove his Tesla into a swimming pool in New Canaan, Connecticut, and a quick-thinking lifeguard jumped in to pull him out — all before the pool even opened for the day. The driver, an 85-year-old local man, crashed through a chain-link fence at Waveny Park at around 7:30 AM on June 18, 2024, plunging his Tesla Model 3 into the lap lane, according to WMBF News.
Lifeguard Mike D'Urso, 21, heard a loud crash and acted within 60 seconds. He entered the water, pried open the car door manually, and got the driver out before the vehicle sank further. The driver was not injured but was taken to a hospital for evaluation, KGNS reported.
D'Urso Heard a Crash and Jumped Right In
D'Urso and his fellow lifeguards were setting up pool furniture and umbrellas before the facility opened when they heard the crash. He spotted the car bobbing in the water and did not hesitate. "I just saw the car in the water and my instinct was to jump in," D'Urso said. "He was conscious but seemed confused. I just wanted to get him out before the car sank further."
Getting the driver out was not simple. Tesla vehicles use electronic door handles, which can stop working when submerged in water. D'Urso managed to open the door manually before the electronics failed or water pressure made it impossible. The driver was on the pool deck within minutes. Emergency crews arrived shortly after, WOWT reported.
How an 85-Year-Old's Tesla Ended Up in a Pool
Police said the crash was purely accidental. No criminal charges were filed. Investigators believe the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake — a mistake known as "pedal misapplication." It happens roughly 16,000 times a year in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers over 75 are among the most likely groups to make this error.
Electric cars like the Tesla can make pedal errors more dangerous. When a driver hits the accelerator instead of the brake, the instant power of an electric motor causes the car to surge forward much faster than a gas-powered car would. The Tesla Model 3 also weighs between 3,800 and 4,050 pounds — far heavier than a similar gas car — which made pulling it from the pool a job for a heavy-duty crane, KY3 reported.
Pool Closed for Cleanup After Battery Leak Concerns
The pool was already closed when the crash happened, but it stayed shut even longer after. The New Canaan Recreation Department announced a temporary closure for environmental cleaning and safety inspections. When an electric vehicle enters water, officials must check for leaks of battery coolant and other fluids. That kind of cleanup can cost between $10,000 and $25,000, not counting structural repairs.
The fence surrounding the pool was also damaged in the crash. The pool liner and filtration system both needed inspection. The closure was a logistical headache for the town during a June heatwave, as residents lost access to one of the area's main summer spots, WCAX reported.
Community Calls D'Urso a Hero, Debate Follows
New Canaan's First Selectman praised D'Urso publicly. "Mike D'Urso's bravery is a testament to the training our lifeguards receive," she said. New Canaan Police Lt. Marc DeFelice added that "the quick actions of the lifeguard on site prevented what could have been a much worse situation," noting the car was significantly submerged by the time the driver was pulled free, WNDU reported.
The incident also sparked a wider debate. Some local residents called for stricter driving tests for people over 80. Drivers aged 80 and older have higher rates of fatal crashes per mile than any age group except teenagers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Connecticut lawmakers were informally discussing proposals to encourage older drivers to take voluntary road tests, WALB reported.
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