TAMPA, Fla. – Truck driver who risked his life to save a truck Plant City Couple surviving flood waters at high altitudes Hurricane Milton He became known throughout the country for his actions.

George Maxwell rescued Tonia Muse and Dan Heton from rising floodwaters and drove them to higher ground. They planned to ride Hurricane Milton in their barn, which they thought was safer from the wind than in their trailer.

However, they did not expect the flood waters to surround their barns.

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“I have never seen water like this in this area before. I was born and raised in this area and I have never seen water like this,” Muse said.

The couple manages a trucker parking lot near I-4 and realized they were no longer safe at the height of the storm. That’s when Maxwell opened the barn door.

“No, come on guys, we have to go,” Heton said. “We have to go,” he said.

Pictured: George Maxwell.

The trio took a short detour to the truck, wading through chest-deep water in treacherous Bay Area conditions with winds at the height of Milton’s anger. Muse said they were nearly dragged away, but they managed to reach the truck and security.

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“I stopped myself and realized and turned to George and said ‘dude, you just saved our lives,'” Heton said.

The National Truckload Carriers Association honored Maxwell with the “Highway Angel Award” for his heroism.

Pictured: Tonia Muse and Dan Heton.

“I hope I haven’t done anything that no one else could have done,” Maxwell said.

But the story doesn’t end there. Maxwell is currently in the hospital due to his daring rescue operation during the storm. He is being treated for a painful, flesh-eating bacteria he contracted from the floodwaters he waded through.

FOX 13 asked if he would do it again despite the pain he’s experiencing now. He replied: “Absolutely. I mean, I was hoping someone would do it for me. And I would do it for someone else.”

Maxwell lost his personal truck in floodwaters. Heton and Muse said they recently invited Maxwell to dinner and now consider him a lifelong friend.

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