Passers-by Rescue Children After Icy River Crash

[dbt]

Source: AP (Lynn DeBruin) via ABC

As many as 10 people jumped into an icy Utah river to help save three trapped children after a car plunged down a 10-foot embankment and flipped over, the state's Highway Patrol said Sunday.

The rescuers helped turn the Honda Accord upright in the Logan River, and one man shot out the car's window with a handgun and cut a seat belt to help free the children after the Saturday afternoon accident, patrol Lt. Steve Winward said.

The driver, Roger Andersen, 46, of Logan, lost control as he tried to brake while heading northbound on U.S. 89 during slick conditions. His 9-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son were trapped along with a second 9-year-old girl.

"He was panicked, doing everything he could to get in through the doors, but they wouldn't budge," said rescuer Chris Willden, who had jumped into the water with his own father after coming upon the crash scene.


Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/passersby-rescue-children-icy-river-crash-15270875#.TwGJ4IHYCSo

[hlthe2b]

1. As rare as this is, I have always dreaded the possibility...

(of being trapped in car and unable to get free of a seatbelt. So, when I finally decided to create an "Emergency" kit for the house and car, I bought one of those new Swiss Army knives that has the device to break the window and a second to cut the seatbelt. I surely hope I never have to use it--for myself of anyone else, but at least I may not have to rely on a stranger with a gun. ;) Good on these people, though. Some damned good karma they've earned.

[bahrbearian]

2. Shot out the window with a hand Gun,, why not break the window with the Gun.

[Gemini Cat]

4. Might not have thought of it.

Panicky and all.

[Lorien]

6. More dramatic and macho to shoot it maybe?

I'd be worried that the bullet would ricochet off something and hit one of the kids. Most of us keep crowbars in our trunks for such emergencies.

[No Elephants]

3. Good news. Nice.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

5. I watched a video of people lifting up a burning car to get a someone out from under

It was a motorcycle rider or a bicycle rider, they lined up along the side of the car and lifted it on the opposite two wheels and other folks were able to pull the downed guy out from under the car. People can be very good, I like most of them I've met.