Family Finds Man Who Saved Their Lives on Nantucket

Derrick Johns was vacationing on Nantucket with his wife and their 16-year-old daughter, Erynn, this week. They went for a swim that took a dangerous turn as the rip current pulled them out to sea. It was so strong that they couldn't swim back to shore, and were greatly fatigued from trying.

"I did a few tours overseas with the Marines, and I never felt that kind of fatigue or fear," Derrick Johns said.

Erynn recorded the entire thing on her waterproof camera using a selfie stick.

"I was just getting pushed under and then I came up for a second and I was able to breathe, but another wave would come and I'd just go right back under," she said.

A man in orange swim trunks was able to help Erynn get back to the beach, but her mom and dad were getting pulled further out. With the help of a few more strangers, Derrick and his wife made it back to shore. They were all rushed to the hospital.

"I was semiconscious on the beach, and when they put me in the truck they said my oxygen level was really low," Derrick Johns said.

They didn't know who the name of the stranger in orange swim trunks, and immediately began looking for him to thank him.

Tommy Vach recognized himself from the news video. He was glad to make the embrace possible with the quick, life-saving response.

"It doesn't matter who you are, how strong of a swimmer you are," Vach said. "Rip tides are very dangerous and to fight them can cause fatigue and you have to keep your wits about you."