Stories of courage exhibited by local residents helping others in danger are gratifyingly common. Normally, however, they involve only a handful of good Samaritans.

More — many more — got into the act not long ago at a beach in Florida.

A couple of boys became trapped in a rip tide offshore. Their mother, grandmother and five other family members went after them, only to become trapped, too.

Within seconds, a human chain of people formed. It snaked out through the waves to the endangered family, rescuing every one of them.

About 80 people were involved.

Jessica Simmons, who risked her own life by paddling out on a boogie board to help the family, put what happened well:

“It’s so cool to see how we have our own lives and we’re constantly at a fast pace, but when somebody needs help, everybody drops everything and helps,” she said. “That was really inspiring to see we still have that. With everything going on in the world, we still have humanity.”

Amen to that.