Levy County Sheriff’s deputies rescued two people who drove off the County Road 40 boat ramp into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday evening.

According to a Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) release, 77-year-old Frank Fournier drove his 2024 Denali pickup off CR 40 that dead ends off a boat ramp into the Gulf of Mexico with his passenger, 68-year-old Elena Van Kampen, both of Inglis, at 8:55 p.m.

LCSO deputy Cody Weaver discovered the pickup approximately 75 yards from the end of the boat ramp and spotted the two people in the bed of the pickup. Weaver and LCSO deputy Dakota Dowling who arrived shortly after Weaver, both entered the water to assist Fournier and Van Kampen, who had exited the pickup bed and attempted to swim ashore.

According to the release, the water temperature was at 54 degrees and the deputies assisted the couple, who were yelling for help, to shore and into a nearby ambulance. Fournier and Van Kampen were transported to Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River and treated for exposure.

The pickup was recovered from the water on Monday morning.

“The quick thinking and selfless sacrifice these deputies displayed is a testament to their dedication to the safety of our citizens,” said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum in the press release. “The deputies endured extremely cold water and an even colder air temperature (42 degrees) which placed their own life in jeopardy. Thankfully everyone was rescued safely and the couple is expected to make a full recovery.”