North Carolina Teen Hero Saves Couple and Dog from Sinking Truck in Floodwaters

A Stormy Day Turns Into a Life-Saving Rescue

In a remarkable act of bravery, high school athlete Kenji “Flash” Bowen leaped into floodwaters last week to save a couple and their dog from drowning. The rescue took place near Wilmington, North Carolina, during a near-tropical storm that had caused heavy flooding in the region. Bowen, a star athlete at East Columbus High School, was driving home with his girlfriend and their baby when he witnessed a pickup truck sliding into dangerous floodwaters.

A Harrowing Encounter with Rising Waters

The incident was first reported by Columbus County News. According to Bowen, he and his family were driving along Woodyard Road when they encountered floodwaters blocking the roadway. “There was no way I was going through that with my family, so I got ready to turn around,” Bowen recalled.

It was at that moment he noticed a pickup truck attempting to cross the flooded road from the opposite side. Despite Bowen flashing his lights to warn the driver, the man behind the wheel continued forward—too late to stop as his truck was caught in the rushing water. The truck began to float toward a ditch, where the water was even deeper. Soon, it was sinking.

Racing Against the Clock

Nicknamed “Flash” for his speed on the football field, Bowen acted fast. Without hesitation, the young father jumped into the powerful current. “That water was flowing stronger than anything I had ever seen,” Bowen said. He reached the truck just in time, grabbing hold of the vehicle as it started to go under.

Inside the cab, the couple was struggling to open the doors, but in such situations, doors can’t be opened once the car is partially submerged due to the water pressure. Bowen helped the woman climb out of the window, and his girlfriend Caitlyn was there to help her to safety. After ensuring the woman was safe, Bowen went back into the truck to rescue the man and their dog, pulling them out through the window as the truck continued to sink.

The Hero Without Fear

Despite his love for sports, Bowen admitted he’s not a fan of swimming or deep water, laughing about how his fear of water didn’t hold him back from making the daring rescue. His quick thinking and courage saved the lives of the couple and their beloved pet, earning him the title of a true hero.

Life-Saving Tips for Escaping a Sinking Car

Flash’s incredible rescue story also serves as a reminder of the importance of knowing what to do in similar life-threatening situations. When a car is submerged, the doors cannot be opened due to the pressure. The best course of action is to immediately unbuckle your seatbelt and attempt to exit through the window, which may still be rolled down. If it won’t open, try breaking the glass by kicking near the top of the windowpane or using the metal prong of a headrest.

If the window remains unbreakable, you must wait until the car is fully submerged for the pressure inside to equalize with the water outside. Only then will the doors become openable, but as Mythbusters demonstrated, it can take nearly two minutes for this equalization to occur—time that can make all the difference.

Flash’s Speed Beat the Water

Fortunately, the quick actions of Kenji “Flash” Bowen saved the couple and their dog before the truck was fully submerged. His heroic efforts on that stormy day will not soon be forgotten, proving that real-life heroes walk among us—even if they don’t like swimming.