As Hoelter crossed a bridge, he heard a noise. He stopped. Then he heard it again. It was the saddest, most heartbroken whimper, coming from below.

“I was looking at the water and the land, but I don’t see anything, but I hear it,” he said. “I walked back to land and I walked around and looked around.”

The cries continued from the darkness beneath the bridge. Determined to help, Hoelter crawled on his hands and knees down the culvert, completely uncertain of what he was going to find. All he knew is that someone needed him.

“I get my flashlight out because I always carry a flashlight with me,” Hoelter said. “I got to the bottom. I finally see him!”