CBS2 Exclusive: Driver Rescued From Belt Parkway Rollover Thanks Those Who Saved Her
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A driver trapped in her upside down SUV, unable to call for help, is thanking the police officers who saved her life.
"I just asked him, if I am to live, then save me, and if it's my end, then it's the end," Huma Rizvi told CBS2's Matt Kozar.
As a devout Muslim, praying was the only thing Rizvi could do as she was trapped in her vehicle, unable to reach her phone to call for help.
"I didn't know what to do, I was like, I'm dying here," Rizci said.
On January 7, Rizvi hit ice as she made a sharp turn off the Belt Parkway in Queens, crashing into a ditch near Francis Lewis Boulevard, turning her vehicle upside down.
"I could see my wallet and my phone floating, I couldn't call anybody," Rizvi said.
The 36-year-old mother of three said she knew time was running out. Her upside down car was filling up with cold, icy water and there wasn't much room left to breathe.
Fortunately, her SUV's electronic roadside assistance notified police.
"If they were even five or 10 minutes late, I wouldn't be here," Rizvi said.
Officers Robert Falcone, Michelle Forthman, Marc Rudon and Anthony Orban from the 105th Precinct jumped into the water to save her.
"He cut the seat belt and the other guy from the passenger side, he opened the door so I swam to him," Rizvi recalled.
Rizvi said she doesn't remember much of what happened after the rescue; she spent the night in a Jamaica hospital.
"I really want to thank the police officers," she said through tears.
Rizvi said the officers called several times to check on her condition and she was able to thank them.
