During a live broadcast about Hurricane Helene on Friday, Atlanta TV weather reporter Bob Van Dillen paused his coverage to help a woman stranded in her vehicle as floodwaters rose around her.

In footage of the rescue, Van Dillen, a meteorologist for FOX Weather, stands in the rain near the submerged vehicle and explains how the woman had driven into a flooded area. He tells viewers that he has called 911 as the woman's screams can be heard in the background. "It's a situation. We'll get back to you in a little bit," he says. "I'm going to see if I can help this lady out a little bit more."

Van Dillen is then seen wading through the floodwater, carrying the woman on his back to safety.

Later, in an interview, Van Dillen explained how he immediately took action. "I took my wallet out of my pants, and I went in there, waded in, got chest deep," he recalled. "She was still strapped into her car, and the water was rising into the vehicle, nearly submerging her up to her neck."

Subramaniam Vincent, director of journalism and media ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, said this incident highlights the intersection of professional duty and human responsibility.

While Van Dillen had an obligation to report the news, "there is also someone whose life is at risk," Vincent said, adding that the meteorologist made the right choice. Given the circumstances and the woman's desperate need for help, Vincent concluded, "It is a straightforward case of a fellow citizen stepping in to help another in need."

AP