Caught on camera: Bastrop cop saves woman trapped in flooded car

Bastrop Police Captain Carl Givens had no idea what type of day he was in for.

On Saturday, a woman attempted to pass South Washington Street but water levels due to intense rain forced her car to shut off leaving her trapped.

"We know that it's one of the troubled areas so we checked it. I had just checked it and 20 minutes after that we got the call that a vehicle was stranded and somebody was trapped inside," said Captain Givens.

When Givens arrived on scene, he knew what he had to do.

"We were going to try to pull her out with a truck but that wouldn't work. The vehicle continued to float and move with her in it. She became a little bit more afraid and panicking and so my instincts told me it was time to go on and get her out," said Givens.

With no regard for his own safety, Givens dove into the water and rescued the woman.

A bystander captured the rescue all on camera.

"The water was about waist deep to me. She was a petite, young female. She was afraid, and I'm sure the water would've came at least to her chest. And if it wasn't a reason to put her through that, then why would I?" asked Givens.

What surprised the Captain the most was that he had no idea anyone was recording until he checked Facebook later that night.

"I was pleased to know that because at the time I had no idea that anybody was out there filming it or getting it on their phone," said Givens.

The Chief doesn't want to take all the credit. He says two young men on scene tried to save the woman before police showed up.

"It's always good to get recognized for something positive and I'm thankful. But again truly it's just another day at the job," said Givens.

The captain believes any officer in the Bastrop Police Department would’ve done the same thing. He says his moment just happened to be caught on camera.

Givens says the woman is from Arkansas and was in Bastrop visiting family. Thankfully, she is okay.

The captain also says that a similar situation happened last year in the same spot after an elderly woman was left trapped in floodwater.

A link to the original video is attached below.