Columbus,KS : Area responders rescue crash victim from vehicle in creek on January, Thursday 11th 2018

Swift action by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and firefighters is being credited with saving a Baxter Springs man’s life Thursday night after his vehicle overturned and landed in a creek.

“There is no question, considering the frigid temperatures on Thursday night, this crash could have ended in a much more tragic way,” Sheriff David Groves said in a news release. “I’m proud of the quick thinking and courageous acts demonstrated by law enforcement and firefighters at the scene, which no doubt resulted in the saving of the driver’s life.”

A passer-by notified area emergency personnel about 7 p.m. after noticing tail lights of an overturned vehicle sticking out of a creek near the area of Southwest 90th Street and Clem Road in Cherokee County, according to the release. The driver, Wesley Woods, 35, was trapped inside.

Woods was injured in the accident and was threatened by the cold.

Deputies Noble Dobkins and Matt Hatfield as well as Lt. Jack Getman, of Lola Township Fire Department, arrived at the location shortly after the call. They could hear Woods calling for help from inside of the vehicle that was partially filled with water, the statement said.

Waist deep in water, Hatfield attempted to reach Woods, but was unsuccessful. Dobkins was able to use fencing cable to get onto the overturned vehicle, but the doors were locked, leaving him unable to reach the driver.

The Lola Township and Columbus firefighters then connected tow ropes and Hatfield’s patrol vehicle was used to pull the vehicle over enough for a window to be shattered and the driver extricated, according to the statement.

Woods was rushed to Mercy Maude Norton Hospital in Columbus and then transferred to Mercy Hospital Joplin. Mercy spokeswoman Tina Rockhold on Friday said that Woods had been treated and dismissed.

Source :
Area responders rescue crash victim from vehicle in creek