Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous individuals alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to Mississippi teenager and hero Corion Evans.
It was 2:30 AM on the I-10 boat ramp in Moss Point, Mississippi, when, following their GPS, three teenage girls drove their car off a boat ramp and floated 25 yards out into the Pascagoula River before it started sinking.
Evans, who had been swimming since he was about three years old, had managed to swim after and rescue all parties involved in the incident. As a result, on Tuesday (July 5), Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight presented Corion Evans with Certificates of Commendation. According to ABC news, they managed to get out of the car and onto the roof. Evans heard them crying for help and took off his shirt and shoes, leaving his phone behind him as he jumped into the water.
Evans and one of his friends, Karon ″KJ″ Bradley, jumped in and helped get the teenagers inside the vehicle onto the roof.
Moss Point police officer Gary Mercer was called to the scene and said Evans was already in the water when he arrived. Mercer said he jumped into the river and began assisting one of the teenagers before she panicked and caused him to go underwater. Evans then helped Mercer and the teenager reach the shore.
The officer and three teens were taken to the hospital following the incident and were recovering, WLOX reported.
“The police department and I commend Mr. Evans’s bravery and selflessness by risking his own safety to help people in danger,” Moss Point Chief Brandon Ashley said in a statement. “If Mr. Evans had not assisted, it could have turned out tragically instead of all occupants rescued safely.”
On Tuesday, Moss Point city officials presented Evans with a certificate of commendation for his heroism in rescuing the four people. They also recognized Mercer for his “bravery in the rescue.”
Evans’ mother expressed relief and spoke proudly of her son after the rescue. Evans said about his decision to jump in and attempt to save the four people and mentioned that he didn’t want to let those involved die.
“I was just like, ‘I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water’. So, I just started getting them,” … “I wasn’t even thinking about nothing else.”
We at the Evolved Man Project applaud Corion Evans selfless effort to save lives. In an era of bad news and constant social media drama, Corion is proving we all can make a difference and save a life. In his case, four lives! Today we honor Coiron Evans as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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