CTV News Montreal

Updated: Mon Oct. 19 2009 9:02:11 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

A 17-year-old is being hailed as a hero after diving into a frigid pool and rescuing an 82-year-old man.

The elderly driver was sitting in his car behind Cavendish Mall when the vehicle shot across the parking lot and toward a house at the corner of Mackle Rd. and Newton St. in Cote-St-Luc.

"He suddenly had a health problem and the car started to move forward," said Montreal police Constable Andre Leclerc.

The car travelled 200 metres before smashing through two fences and plunging into a half-filled inground pool.

Marten Benko saw the accident while walking his dog.

He ran to the crash, tied up his dog, then stripped off his heavy clothes and jumped in.

"I looked at the car, like really quickly to see how many people are in the car," said Benko. "I only noticed like one person, he didn't seem to be moving in the passenger seat.

"The car at the front was like completely submerged meaning he was drowning at the moment - at the same time."

Benko used his elbow to smash his way in to the car and pull the man out.

When police officers and emergency workers arrived at the scene, they also jumped into the pool, fearing that the man's wife might be in the water.

They later discovered the woman was inside the shopping mall throughout the ordeal.

Marten's mother is very proud of her son

"Many people they get shock and they stay still and they cannot move, and he just did his job," said Maria Benko.

It's a job Benko has prepared for.

He has been swimming since he was six months old and won about 100 medals since he began competing at the age of eight.

He's also a lifeguard, but Benko admits the water was so cold when he first jumped in he wanted to get out, however he knew he had to get to the driver first.

Leclerc was among the police officers at the scene who were impressed.

"He had to break the back window of the car and he was able to retrieve it from the side doors. The guy made a hell of a job you know?" said Leclerc.

The victim is now in stable condition in hospital.

Police are investigating to determine exactly what caused the crash.

Comments are now closed for this story

witness
was there one of three people standing there the guy is lucky to be alive the water was freezing alot of braverie goes out to this young man who btw go hurt during the rescue the effort he put in was remarkable hope the man is able to survive

Christina
Thank God no one was hurt!! poor man...hope he will be ok!

Amy
thank you to the boy who pulled my grand father out of the pool. He is critical right now.

Tom T
Ploice are investigating what caused the crash?????? A guy who shouldn't have been driving at all!! Yet another example of how BS speed traps and photo radar do nothing to protect the public! The most horrible drivers DO NOT SPEED, they simply drive into you (or into a pool)becase they don't know what's going on around them. Too bad the cops dont have a dumbass laser detctor gun.

Farnoosh
Oh My God....Ploice are investigating what caused the crash?????? I am not a police and I am not an investigator, but i know the cause of accident...with all my respect for elderlies, yesssss the AGE is the cause "86-year-old man"

Silvia
I'm glad to hear he's still alive and it took a lot of guts for that young man to do what he did. Kudos to him!

And for all you self-righteous whiners, it could have happened to anyone, yourself included Regardless of your age, you too can suddenly suffer from a sudden weakness or faintness while driving.

Chantal
Mr.Grauer and the Grauer family, I am happy to hear your father and grandfather is in stable condition.
To Mr. Martin Benko what you did was incredibly heroic!! My hats off to you for saving a life! You should be proud!

Justice
Morty, may your father get well quick. As for the others who jump to conclusions quick, this was not a case of a driver's skills, or age. Such a tragic event can happen to anyone of us. TOM T, get the facts straight next time and STICK to the subject, that dumbass laser detector gun is pointing at you, moron.

Tom T
Same thing happened in DDO on Dephoure street last year. An elderly man got in his car and drove over 4 lawns, hit 2 or 3 cars and drove through my friend's house. Miracle that nobody was around at the moment. He didn't remember what happened!! My firend and his family had to live elswhere for a few months while insurance companies argued and eventually rebuilt part of his house. What about the old man that had "mistaken" the gas for the brake and killed a few people at a bus stop in cote de neiges not too long ago. SAAQ testing is a JOKE. You can see all kinds of people drive around like they're asleep, completely disconneced and unaware. They will pass a driving test if they don't make a mistake but they are still dangerous. They will not get a ticket when they cut someone off either because those are subjective and cannot be proven in court easily like a laser measured speeding ticket can be. I stand by what I said, the only checks and balances in the system are those that generate money for the government FIRST and everything else takes a back seat.

Sylvie
To all the foolish comments about this man's age, how many of you young people should have their licensed revoked?!...good grief.

Bravo Sylvie
What a horrible accident - but it could have been just that, an accident. I agree with Sylvie - don't jump to conclusions. This man could have had a heart attack or something (which can happen at ANY age) but those of you STILL driving while texting and talking on cell phones and blowing off stop signs at the same time - NO EXCUSE!!!! Luckily no one was hurt in this case but MANY people are being hurt by those blatantly choosing to drive while unable (drugs, alcohol, etc.). Smarten up already!!

For the love of...
Hey Tom T. get your head out of where the sun doesn't shine. Enough of your big brother ideas! You really think laser detector guns will solve every problems?!? If so then start by targeting YOUNG drivers who use roads as Formula 1 race tracks!

Donna Barkie
Thank God for the brave young man who rescued the elderly gentleman. May the elderly gentleman recover.

Eric
To the Grauers - may your father/grandfather recuperate quickly from this.
To Mr. Martin Benko - congrats on what you did, but unlike what your mom said, I don't believe you were doing your job... you did what was in your heart. If there were more people like you, this world would be much better off. The Grauers were very lucky to have someone like you nearby... right place, right time, right attitude.