On December 26, 2024, a brave woman named Kayla Masotto, who is 28 and lives in Mastic, Long Island, saved a man’s life. He fell through the ice on Poospatuck Creek. When she saw it happen, she jumped into action. Her quick thinking kept a bad situation from getting worse and made her community proud.
Kayla was at home watching TV when she spotted the man on a personal watercraft. She saw the ice break, and he fell into the cold water. Kayla grabbed her paddleboard and ran to the creek without a second thought.
Using her board as a makeshift raft, she paddled through the choppy waters toward the man struggling to stay afloat after his watercraft sank. With a steady hand, she extended her paddle toward him, saying softly, “Grab on,” hoping to bring him some calm amidst the chaos. This gave him something to grab as they waited for help to come. Thanks to Kayla, the man made it out safely.
Kayla’s actions didn’t go unnoticed. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine honored her by declaring December 30 as her day. He praised her for her bravery and said, “This is the best of Suffolk. We take care of each other, and she cared enough to act.”
For Kayla, it was instinct to help someone in trouble. Her story shows how one person can make a big difference when it counts. She not only saved a life but also brought her community together.
Kayla’s rescue teaches us about being alert and ready to help in emergencies. It shows how strong kindness can be and the courage it takes to step up when it matters. After the rescue, she shared, “This is what I want the message to be going into 2025: we all need to look out for each other and help each other.”
