Team Century tourney angler and St. Pete resident Kenny Hyatt may

earn a cape to go along with his jersey. Hyatt was in the right place at the right time, arriving moments after a Ford Explorer flipped off the Howard Frankland Bridge and landed in Tampa Bay, where it sank.

Four people were inside the vehicle, including a teenager and a child.

Two adults and the teenager managed to climb out of the submerged SUV and swim to the surface, leaving a 7-year old behind. Hyatt scooped the first three from the water. A passing motorist then jumped off the bridge, dove down 10 feet, got inside the SUV and brought the child to the surface, swimming to Hyatt’s boat. A nurse also jumped off the bridge and

administered CPR to the unconscious child in Hyatt’s boat.

That’s quite a rescue effort. The child went to Tampa General Hospital and is said to be in serious condition, but recovering. The other three family members were treated for minor injuries.

Hyatt in February also rescued an 87-pound boxer/terrier that jumped from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The dog had panicked after a minor fender-bender car accident, and took the long dive. While fishing next to the bridge, Hyatt was able to pull the dog from the water and safely return it to the owners.

FS