Mike Doyle, a vice president of the Eastport-South Manor TA on Long Island, came to the 2006 RA as just one of many delegates - he is leaving Rochester a hero.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Doyle, who works as a school district librarian, was driving back to his hotel with union President Joe Pluta when disaster struck. He saw a pickup truck veer off the road and crash through a six-foot fence, careening into a pond on the campus of Monroe Community College.
"I just couldn't believe it," he said. "It was like something out of a movie."
Doyle and Pluta immediately pulled over and Doyle dove into the lake, seeing the pickup was sinking rapidly. By the time Doyle reached the truck, it was fully submerged. Fortunately, a moment later, the driver surfaced.
Doyle helped swim the driver to the shore, and Doyle and Pluta flagged down passing cars, whose occupants donated blankets and other items to keep the driver warm. Doyle said the driver was suffering from a hand laceration and shock, but seemed to be fine otherwise.
NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi called Doyle onto the stage at the Saturday general session to recognize heroic effort.