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Even though Jonathan Bauer suffers from a fear of heights, this did not stop him from leaping from a bridge that was between 25 and 40 feet high into the water below in order to save the life of a little child.

On May 2, Bauer and his adolescent daughter Ava were running errands on the Route 90 bridge over Maryland’s Assawoman Bay when they became engaged in a devastating five-car crash. The accident left both of them severely injured.

As a result of the accident, eight people were taken to the hospital, and a pickup vehicle was left dangling precariously over the rails.

Bauer got out of his truck after he had made certain that Ava was in no danger and checked to see if anyone else was in need of aid.

As he got closer to the overturned truck, a passenger yelled out to him to tell him about a devastating sight: a young child who had been flung from the passenger side of the vehicle was swimming in the water with her pretty pink dress blowing in the wind.

In an interview with WJLA, Bauer explained, “I looked over and saw the car seat and a few other possessions, and then about six feet away from the car seat I saw the infant floating properly on her back with her arms and legs kicking.”

Bauer did a thorough search of the water for any nearby vessels that might be able to offer aid, but he found none. When he turned his focus back to the youngster, he saw that she was in a potentially harmful situation.

He went on to explain that she had rolled onto her stomach, which caused her face to become submerged in the water.

Bauer gave instructions to his daughter to immediately stop any police officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel that she encountered. The next step was for him to take off his shoes and jump in feet first.

He dove into the water and swam to the child, who had emerged from the water unhurt but appeared to be only partially conscious. He carried the infant on his shoulder and rubbed her back until she began to cough and expel the water from her system. Then he put the baby down.

Shortly after that, Joe and Alayna Oertel, who had been watching the unfolding of events, made their way over. Bauer and the toddler were rushed by Bauer’s parents, the Oertels, to the 66th Street off-ramp, where emergency medical personnel were waiting for them.

The young lady was delivered to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore in order to receive medical treatment and an examination there. (Since then, she has been discharged, and doctors anticipate that she will make a full recovery.)

Bauer, who was clearly shaken by the experience, snuck away stealthily without praising his friend for his bravery. Even after the specifics of the event became public knowledge, he made an initial effort to hide his involvement in the incident, claiming that he would rather maintain his anonymity as a good Samaritan.

Nevertheless, the people in his community were eager to show their gratitude. The request turned out to be successful.

Bauer was reunited with Joe and Alayna Oertel as well as a number of the first responders who were present that day on May 7 during a “kitchen table” press conference held at Ocean City’s Fire Station 3 in Ocean City.

In addition to his wife Wendi and daughter Ava, City Council President Matt James, who is also a volunteer firefighter, as well as Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan were present.

During the ceremony, Bauer gave an emotional speech in which he reflected on his experiences in relation to the tragic events.

Even though he was showered with praise and presented with a plaque to honor his bravery, it was clear that the only thing that truly mattered was the fact that he was able to save a life.

Watch the video…