'I couldn't watch her die': Wake County man jumps into river to rescue woman in Ashe County

A Wake County man, Eddie Hunnell, became a hero when he risked his own life to save a woman from raging floodwaters in Ashe County.

Hunnell was visiting Grassy Creek for his son's wedding when the floodwaters rose rapidly.

As a nearby home was being swept away, Leslie Worth, the homeowner, was trapped inside. Desperate onlookers could only watch as the house was carried downstream.

"When it was happening, I was trying to make the calculated risk of 'how do we save her?" Eddie Hunnell said.

Witnesses watched in horror while floodwaters consumed the house, panic surged for the woman still inside.

"Oh my God … jump … jump!' one witness urged Worth.

Without hesitation, Hunnell jumped into the floodwaters to rescue her.

"I grew up swimming on a swim team. I was a lifeguard, and I'm in okay shape, but I couldn't watch her die," Hunnell said. "I felt like I needed to do that."

With a life vest and rope in hand, Hunnell braved the strong currents of the New River.

He managed to reach Worth and bring her safely to shore.

Worth and her husband, Phil, later posed for a photo with their hero after emerging from the river. They had lost all of their belongings but were grateful to be alive.

Hunnell said he didn't fully realize the danger he had faced until later that night.

"It didn't hit me until I laid down in bed that night and about had a panic attack, but I didn't see another option," Hunnell said.

A heroic choice that demonstrated true compassion and bravery.

A GoFundMe has been created to assist the Worth family.