WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Scott Runion was troubled Tuesday. On his drive to work, he asked God: “Put somebody in my path today. Use me to bless somebody, somehow, today.”

        A few hours later, he had saved the life of a little boy.

        “Something like this, it really changes your perspective,” said Mr. Runion, 39, of Monroe, who pulled a boy, about 5, from a rapidly sinking car that had rolled into a pond.

        Capt. John Bruce, acting West Chester police chief, on Tuesday confirmed the inci dent and Mr. Runion's role. It all happened while the little boy's mother was inside an office building applying for a job. However, Capt. Bruce was unable to immediately provide more details.

        At around 11:20 a.m., Mr. Runion says he was at his job as a sales representative at Bakery Crafts, 9300 Allen Road, when he noticed a car that seemed to be backing out of the parking lot.

        He knew something was wrong because the white, midsized car kept rolling backward — straight into an adjacent pond.

        “As it started over the hill, I saw a little boy raise up over the dashboard,” Mr. Runion said.

        Mr. Runion yelled to a co-worker, who called 911, then kicked off his shoes, scrambled over some rocks and dove into the water.

        “The car was sinking really fast,” Mr. Runion said. “It only took me a couple moments, but by the time I got there, the back end was submerged and the water was almost up to the window line. ... Thank God the driver's side window was open.”

        The little boy reached out his arms and said, “Mommy.” Mr. Runion promised to take him to her.

        The boy was clinging fiercely to Mr. Runion, making it difficult for him to swim. But they made it to shore, where police and paramedics awaited.

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