Anonymous Hero Saves 2-year-old Girl who fell from Rt. 90 Bridge Crash

OCEAN CITY, Md. - A Sunday afternoon five vehicle crash on the Route 90 bridge sent eight people to the hospital, including a two-year-old girl. The Ocean City Police Department says she fell from a truck that was hanging off of the bridge and landed in the Assawoman Bay along with her car seat. OCPD says a witness jumped in to save her. 

Ocean City Fire Chief Richard Bowers says the accident happened around 3 p.m. and closed the bridge for five or six hours. He says it is unclear what caused the crash, but that it involved vehicles traveling both eastbound and westbound. 

It was unexpected day on the Assawoman Bay for the Oertel family. They were in the right place at the right time to pick up the Good Samaritan and the little girl after he rescued her. 

"My mom grabbed the baby from the man and then from there my dad took her and I wrapped the blanket around her and then once everyone sat down, my Dad handed her off to my mom, that way he could drive the boat," says Alayna Oertel. 

Joe Oertel drove the boat quickly to shore. 

"The fear of him being injured as well crossed our minds because of it being shallow water, but once we got up there, got the bay on board, got him on board, we asked if there was anyone else in the water that he heard of and he said no," Oertel says. 

Bowers says the anonymous hero was treated on scene after his 25 foot plunge into the 5 foot deep and 57 degree water to save the child.

"The baby was face down in the water for a short period of time, but because of the unbelievable and heroic actions of this heroic actions of this humble hero, he was able to retrieve the child immediately within seconds," Bowers says. \

While the person who saved the child wants to remain anonymous, the Ocean City Fire Department's Facebook post about the accident has gained over 2000 comments from people who want to thank that Good Samaritan, some saying he should even get national recognition.

Bowers was on scene Sunday and says it's not clear if the baby girl was in her seat or if the seat was buckled in before the accident.

"We air transported the child to the hospital," Bower says. "The child is doing fine now and was doing fine at the scene, but was transported because of the situation as it unfolded."

The accident remains under investigation by OCPD's Traffic Safety Unit. 

Chief Bowers says it's possible he'll be able to check on and thank the anonymous, humble hero in the near future.