Death is not worse pain than an empty life. -- Lun Tha

From the News-Press.com

ORLANDO - A Good Samaritan is being credited with saving the lives of two teens who were surrounded by alligators after crashing their car into an Altamonte Springs pond.

Police said Larry Mitchell, 17, and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Crowe, 19, crashed into an alligator-infested pond near the Camden Renaissance apartments in Altamonte Springs, located near state Road 434 and Maitland Boulevard.

A maintenance worker, Rafael Martinez, noticed the crash and jumped into the pond, Local 6 News reported.

"He had a stick and he was trying to get us out but he was trying to move the alligators, so the alligators wouldn't get him you know," Crowe said. "I was scared. I was too nervous roll down the window and I couldn't open the door."

The teens were trapped and the car began to sink, the report said.

"She was freaking out and I was trying to think of the best way out of the car because the doors weren't opening," Mitchell said.

Mitchell opened the window and Martinez helped the pair to shore.

"Those teens are lucky to be alive," Local 6's Jessica D'Onofrio said. "There are several gators inside the pond."

The teens were not seriously injured.