DETROIT -- A man saved a woman and her twin 5-year-old girls after their minivan drove into a Detroit River canal Friday.

The mother and her children were in the minivan watching Gold Cup Hydro Plane races moments before the mother backed up and hit a pole.

The woman panicked and hit the accelerator, drove off a dock and landed in the river, said police.

"I sat down for a minute and heard this clunk," said Dave Proudfoot.

Proudfoot sprung into action and jumped into the water.

"It was very tough but adrenaline took over and I just kept swimming and swimming as hard as I could," said Proudfoot.

Proudfoot said the minivan doors were locked, and they could not get the mother and her children out of the car.

With the help of several other witnesses, Proudfoot pulled the vehicle back to the dock.

Since the windows were rolled up, the minivan stayed afloat and none of the victims even got wet.

Detroit Cmdr. Steve Dolunt said the witnesses reacted exactly the right way and saved the woman and her children,

"The people reacted fantastic. No fear for their lives, they went in and helped these people and it was just great," said Dolunt.

Proudfoot said that he didn't even have to think about jumping in the water to save the family.

"They needed help. That’s all I could think of. If it was my wife and kids I hope someone would do the same," said Proudfoot.