Good Samaritan, off-duty firefighter help save driver in sinking car

On the evening of January 17, 2025, an elderly woman drove her car into Lake Stevens after taking a wrong turn in poor visibility, prompting a dramatic rescue. Good Samaritan Matt Loverink, who saw the sinking vehicle, immediately jumped into the icy 40-degree water to assist the trapped driver. Firefighters from Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue responded shortly after receiving the emergency report. Off-duty firefighter Alex Fatkin, equipped with his wetsuit and snorkel gear, arrived just a minute later to aid in the rescue. By the time first responders reached the scene, the car was floating approximately 30 to 40 feet from the dock and sinking.

Fire officials stated that without Loverink's intervention, the driver might not have escaped. After their rescue, the driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment of cold water exposure, while Loverink was also treated at the scene. Investigators noted that this incident marks the third vehicle found submerged in Lake Stevens over the past year, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the area.