FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
62-year-old Martin Gonzales says he thought he was a goner!
The elderly man, who is homeless, was trying to cool off and clean up in the water of a Fresno canal.
He lost his balance and nearly drowned.
It happened Friday morning in Fresno's Tower District.
Martin Gonzales says, "I just didn't know what to do, my life was just going away. The water was freezing and it was pulling really fast and really hard."
He called out to his friend Howard Ladwig who ran over and grabbed Gonzales.
He tried to lift him out of the water but he was too heavy.
Howard Ladwig says, "I had a branch I broke off and had him hold on to that, and had the people call 9-1-1."
Fresno Police Officer Bernie Vizcarra was the first to arrive.
Vizcarra ran over and grabbed Gonzales' free hand, while a nearby resident held onto his legs.
When firefighters arrived they all made a human chain and pulled the 62 year old to safety.
Officer Bernie Vizcarra says, "It's a good feeling a really good feeling that we can all work together and come to a common success."
Martin Gonzales says, "I thank them for my life, they are great people and they did that for me, and they did that for me. There is no more that I can do but thank them."
Firefighters praised Howard Ladwig for doing everything right.
Gonzales says he's learned his lesson.
Martin Gonzales says, "Nobody should get in their canals; please I would hope nobody would get in those canals because they are dangerous, they are very dangerous."
Gonzales says this entire experience has made him look at life differently.
He says he's looking for a job and hopes to get off the streets soon.
