An unidentified motorist remains in critical condition Friday after driving his car off of the Vilano Beach boat ramp and into the water, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Video from a 24-hour camera positioned at The Bait Shack restaurant shows a car pulling up near the ramp around 6 a.m. and parking there for several minutes.
The footage then shows the vehicle maneuvering out of the camera’s field of vision before suddenly hurtling down the ramp at full speed and plunging into the water.
Several bystanders witnessed the scene, with one man immediately backing a boat down the ramp in his truck to attempt a rescue.
Emergency crews arrived at the scene minutes later and pulled the man out of the water and up the ramp on a stretcher.
He was transferred to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or behaviors, please call the Suicide Prevention Life Line at 1-800-274-TALK.
