ORLANDO, Fl. — A former TMJ4 News reporter is being called a hero after he rescued a woman from Hurricane Ian flooding on Thursday.
Milwaukee native Tony Atkins, who worked at TMJ4 News for several years, now works at an NBC station in Orlando, WESH 2. While he was covering Hurricane Ian, Atkins witnessed a woman get stuck after she attempted to drive through floodwaters.
What he did next is beyond incredible. Atkins walked into the nearly waist-deep water and pulled the woman out of the window of her vehicle.
He then put the woman on his back and carried her out of the water.
According to an article on WESH 2's website, the woman was a nurse on her way to work.
Following the rescue, Tony shared a tweet saying the woman's daughter texted him to say thank you. She said her mother's job hung in the balance and thanks to Tony, she made it to work.
🙏🏽
— Tony Atkins (@TonyAtkinsTV) September 29, 2022
Our woman from early this morning made it to work. Her job as a nurse hung in the balance, according to her daughter. I got this message from her daughter today! So glad things worked out. #NoCarNoProblem pic.twitter.com/8yBHaGY8jI
Way to go Tony! You are a hero!
@TonyAtkinsTV Just watched you rescue a woman from her flooded car. You are a hero, sir!
— Dee Dombach (@deedombach) September 29, 2022
