We all know that texting while driving is a dangerous combination, even though, as you can see while stopped at a light, many drivers are involved on their phones. Now, texting while walking may be hazardous to your health as well. To prove this, Benton Harbor, Michigan resident Bonnie Miller accidentally fell off the harbor pier while replying to a text, and even though she is embarrassed about the incident (can you blame her?), Miller wants to warn others about texting in transit, no matter the mode (walking, driving, biking, etc.).
According to ABC 57, Miller felt that she had to send a text, not knowing that while she was texting, was heading closer to the edge of the pier. Even though there are railings that prevent users from walking directly into the shower, Miller tripped over an object while texting and immediately fell into the water. Miller’s reason to this situation has been provided below.
“I had set an appointment for the wrong time and so I sent about three words. Next thing you know it was the water.”
Her family (Greg-Husband and Quinn-Son) came to her rescue and jumped into the Lake Michigan channel to help save her. Michigan officials were then called to the scene after receiving a 911 call stating that there were three people in the channel. Quinn first came to her aid while hearing his mother’s voice yell “Oh, God!” as she fell into the water. Rebecca Van Zant (a bystander at the time) came to her rescue also jumped in the water to help rescue her.
To see the story in full, please view the video below from South Bend, Indiana’s ABC 57 TV station.
I have provided some tweets below showing mixed reactions to this story:
A woman was walking & texting and fell off a pier ….SMH!
I talked with the woman who fell off the pier. She wouldn’t go on cam but says she’s in shock post water rescue
I find it amusing that South Bend, IN has made national news bc a woman fell off a pier while texting.