Butler County is fortunate for a variety of reasons, but its water-rescue capability by way of the newly formed Butler County Water Rescue Team sets it apart from many other places.

While the rescue team is not a resource that must be called upon often, when it is needed the situation oftentimes is a matter of life and death, with little time to spare.

Many times there are just minutes available to effect a successful rescue.

Although there were other factors that led to team members’ successful rescue of a Zelienople man Sunday night — the snow that had fallen and a curious motorist — the man whose life was in danger, Henry Leo Stefanacci, 48, probably could not have survived if people trained in water rescue had not been close by.

Fortunately for southwestern Butler County, that area has individuals who have volunteered their time and undergone hours of training for the benefit of people caught in life-threatening situations where water is involved.

In Stefanacci’s case Sunday night, his car had plunged down a 15-foot embankment along Halstead Boulevard in Zelienople after he apparently had lost control of the vehicle.

Stefanacci’s four-door car landed upside down in Connoquenessing Creek. Even if he initially tried to escape, the damage to the car and the way it was positioned prevented Stefanacci from opening any of the doors.

Fortunately, the water in the creek was only about three feet deep, enabling him to keep his head above the water, but the water’s temperature, which was determined to be 32 degrees, put Stefanacci in danger of hypothermia — and death.

Many county residents are tired of this year’s wintry weather, but it was snow and tire tracks leading off the road that caused a motorist to stop and investigate.

To the Zelienople Volunteer Fire Department’s credit, it has members who are part of the newly formed water rescue team — and it was their skill and quick action that saved Stefanacci.

The first water rescue team members to get to the scene entered the water wearing only blue jeans, casual shirts and life jackets. Those who arrived a short time later and replaced them in the water were equipped with dry suits, self-contained breathing gear and also a Jaws of Life rescue tool that enabled them to pry open a door.

Meanwhile, the rescuers were able to keep Stefanacci’s head above water after he became incoherent.

Still, Stefanacci’s life was in danger because of the water temperature.

“Another 10 or 15 minutes, he probably would have died,” said Mark Lauer, a member of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department, who heads the countywide rescue team.

“This was a difficult rescue,” Lauer said.

The incident demonstrates the value of the water rescue team.

Most people don’t recognize rescue team members when their paths cross in the course of a normal day, but people here can be comforted by the fact that there are brave and dedicated individuals in the county who are prepared to do all that’s necessary to help them — even risk their lives — if the need arises.

The water rescue team merits the support of communities throughout this county.