UNION GAP, WA : Dramatic crash and rescue on the Yakima River on Thursday, 26th August, 2016

Some 25 firefighters were called out on ?a rescue Thursday morning when a sports utility vehicle drove off a highway into the Yakima River.

The accident happened about 7:13 a.m. when a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer crashed through a guardrail on the Highway 97 entrance ramp to Interstate 82, where it plowed through heavy brush before entering the river and floating some 300 yards downstream.

The crash was witnessed by a number of drivers, including some who called 911 and began searching for the vehicle.

Among those who stopped was Daniel Koenig of Parker, who negotiated his way through the underbrush and thistle to reach the river, where he crawled out onto a log to reach a woman unable to get out of the river, according to a news release from the Yakima Fire Department.

“He was able to stay with her and calm her until the rescue boat arrived to pull her from the river,” the release said.

Koenig said he was trying to help the woman to shore when the rescue boat came, and he helped her get on board the boat before swimming back to the bank.

The Washington State Patrol identified the woman by as Elizabeth L. Lindsay, 42, of Harrah and said she had been driving when the vehicle crashed.

Meanwhile, the vehicle continued to float downriver with David Nelson 22, also of Harrah inside.

A firefighter who also had to make his way through the dense vegetation discovered the car had come a rest on its wheels near a log jam, while the man was standing behind the trunk in water up to his knees, the release said.

A rescue boat operated by the Yakima Fire Department was able to retrieve the man, then make its way through debris in the river to reach the woman, who was suffering leg and ankle pain, the release said. Yakima County Sheriff’s personnel also assisted with the rescue, Chief Criminal Deputy John Durand said.

Both were taken to Century Land on the east side of the river on Thorp Road where they were placed aboard waiting ambulances and taken to Yakima Valley Memorial, where they were treated and released.

“Those rescued today were very lucky to be in a location where the water is a bit shallower. About 100 yards past the vehicle, the water gets much deeper, wider and leads to the diversion dam,” said Jeff Pfaff, spokesman for the Yakima Fire Department.

Source :
Dramatic crash and rescue on the Yakima River