Joseph Edwards and his common-law wife, Bernice Gonzales, were huddled under a downtown bridge during a rainy night when they saw a car miss a turn on a street, go over an embankment and flip into Bear Creek around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

The Merced Sun-Star reports that while Gonzales called 911, Edwards jumped into the frigid water. He had helped all four people out of the water by the time police and fire crews arrived.

Police Cmdr. Floyd Higdon says the victims were taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia and minor injuries.

Edwards told the Sun-Star that responding officers were grateful for his efforts and gave him a blanket and $5 for some coffee to warm up.