MASTIC, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A heart-stopping rescue unfolded on Poospatuck Creek in Mastic on Long Island last Thursday when Kayla Masotto, a quick-thinking local resident, sprang into action to save a man who had fallen into the icy water.
The dramatic scene began on what seemed like an ordinary day after Christmas.
"I was just on the couch with my sister watching television day after Christmas, in our pajamas, relaxing," Masotto recalled.
However, the peaceful afternoon took an unexpected turn when she noticed something unusual outside her window.
"I had seen out of the corner of my eye a man who was jet skiing in the frozen creek and I thought that was odd," Masotto explained.
Initially, the man assured her he was fine, but the situation rapidly deteriorated.
"Quickly it turned tragic where the jet ski started to sink," she said.
As the danger became apparent, Masotto didn't hesitate to act.
"He started to go down. He was panicking," she recounted. Without a second thought, she leapt into action. "I just ran downstairs into my basement, grabbed my paddle board and ran out onto the ice and thought, I'm just gonna try to push this paddle board as far as I can to get to this man."
Despite the treacherous conditions, Masotto managed to reach the man and pull him to safety.
"I was able to get the board close to him and was able to get him on the board," she said.
Bystanders on shore assisted by throwing a rope to help pull them to safety.
The rescued man was taken to a local hospital and treated for the early effects of hypothermia but has since recovered.
Masotto's bravery didn't go unnoticed. She received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine in recognition of her heroic act.
"We name today in your honor for your bravery and for the fact that you're a good neighbor willing to help in the time of crisis," the executive stated.
Kayla's father, Constantino Masotto, expressed his pride in his daughter's actions.
"I'm so proud to see that she made it safely and it happened so fast and she reacted instantly and he was in bad shape, you can see he was struggling," he said.
Reflecting on the intense moments, Masotto remained humble: "There really was no time to think about being scared. It was just you do what you can in the moment."
As the adrenaline-fueled rescue came to an end, Masotto's sister could be heard exclaiming, "Kayla just saved this man's life," encapsulating the magnitude of Masotto's brave actions.
Authorities advise that if you spot someone in trouble in the water, stay calm and immediately call 911 for assistance.
