Colorado Springs Firefighters Rescue Trapped Driver from Sinking Car

Four firefighters braved freezing water to break open the car's sunroof and pull the victim to safety.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Colorado Springs firefighters responded within two minutes to a call about a vehicle that had sunk into Prospect Lake. The four-person crew quickly entered the freezing water, broke open the car's sunroof, and rescued the lone occupant trapped inside the nearly submerged vehicle.

Why it matters

This dramatic rescue highlights the bravery and quick thinking of the Colorado Springs Fire Department, who risked their own safety to save a life in an unexpected and dangerous situation. The incident also raises awareness about the potential hazards of driving near bodies of water, especially in winter conditions.

The details

Firefighters Chris Williams, Griffin Mason, Padraic Atkinson, and Guillermo Zavala arrived on the scene within two minutes of the call, quickly putting on their protective gear as they drove. They immediately entered the freezing lake water and broke open the car's sunroof to pull the trapped victim to safety as the vehicle was nearly fully submerged.

  • The firefighters received the call and arrived on the scene in less than two minutes.
  • The rescue took place on February 24, 2026.

The players

Chris Williams

A Colorado Springs firefighter since 2014 who helped rescue the trapped driver.

Griffin Mason

A Colorado Springs firefighter with 8 years of experience who assisted in the rescue.

Padraic Atkinson

A Colorado Springs firefighter of about 6 years who was part of the rescue team.

Guillermo Zavala

A Colorado Springs firefighter with 8 years on the job who participated in the lake rescue.

Prospect Lake

The body of water where the vehicle sank and the rescue took place.

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What they’re saying

“We quickly went in the water knowing we had a confirmed occupant inside the vehicle, possibly multiple occupants inside the vehicle.”

— Padraic Atkinson, Colorado Springs Firefighter (KOAA)

“Initially it's adrenaline, but then the muscle memory kicks in.”

— Griffin Mason, Colorado Springs Firefighter (KOAA)

“It's really a once in a career call.”

— Colorado Springs Firefighter (KOAA)

“Things are gonna happen that you're never gonna predict, so we've all just accepted that.”

— Colorado Springs Firefighter (KOAA)

“We were all just looking at each other and saying, I can't believe that happened.”

— Griffin Mason, Colorado Springs Firefighter (KOAA)

What’s next

The Colorado Springs Fire Department will review the incident and procedures to identify any areas for improvement in responding to similar emergencies in the future.

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue showcases the bravery, quick thinking, and teamwork of the Colorado Springs firefighters, who risked their own safety to save a life in an unexpected and dangerous situation. It serves as a reminder of the critical role first responders play in protecting their communities.