In a night that could have ended in tragedy, a 16-year-old boy from Mississippi became a real-life hero after diving into a dark river to save three teenage girls and a police officer.

The incident took place in Moss Point, a small town near the Pascagoula River. It was past midnight when a car carrying three girls accidentally drove off a boat launch and plunged into the river. The vehicle floated for a few moments before starting to sink rapidly into the cold, murky water.

Standing nearby, the young man — later identified as a 16-year-old student — didn’t hesitate. As soon as he saw the car go under, he kicked off his shoes, removed his shirt, and dove straight into the water. “I couldn’t just watch them drown,” he later said. “I knew I had to do something.”

Once in the river, he swam toward the sinking car, calling out to the girls to stay calm and climb out of the windows. One by one, he helped them escape and guided them toward the shore. The current was strong, the water deep, and visibility was nearly zero — but he refused to give up.

As he brought the last girl to safety, a responding police officer entered the water to assist. Unfortunately, the officer soon began to struggle in the strong current. The teen immediately turned back into the river for one more rescue. Fighting exhaustion, he reached the officer, lifted him above the surface, and helped drag him safely back to land.

By the end of the night, the 16-year-old had saved four lives in total — three terrified girls and the police officer who tried to help them. Witnesses described the rescue as “unbelievable,” noting that the teenager showed no fear, only determination.

In the following days, city officials and the local police department honored him with a special award, praising his bravery and selflessness. “What he did was nothing short of heroic,” one official said. “Without his courage, we could have lost four lives that night.”

The young hero later shared that he had been swimming since he was three years old, which gave him confidence to act fast when others froze in shock. Still, he admitted that the rescue left him emotionally shaken. “When I got home, it hit me how dangerous it was,” he said. “But I’m just glad everyone’s alive. That’s all that matters.”

Today, his story continues to inspire people across the country — a reminder that heroism isn’t defined by age, but by courage, compassion, and the willingness to act when it matters most.