News

Actions

Woman drives car into Fox River

Posted at 10:34 PM, Nov 27, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-27 23:34:59-05

A woman escaped serious injuries after driving into the Fox River in Waukesha Friday afternoon.

According to the Waukesha Police Department, the 24-year-old driver experienced some sort of medical issue and passed out, driving her car in to the river on Buckley Street at about 12:30 p.m. No one else was in the car at the time.

"I said to my husband, 'There's a car floating in the water.' At that time we didnt' know whether anyone was in it or not," eyewitness Carol Murphy said.

The car drifted around 50 feet into the river, but the woman was rescued after she was able to climb out through the sunroof and perched herself on the roof.

"Deployed two swimmers out to the vehicle, they wrapped a rope around her and pulled her in," said Lt. Steve Clementi of the Waukesha Fire Department.

Jim Murphy saw the woman in distress from his apartment balcony four stories up from the river. He called 911, but emergency crews were already on the way.

"The fireman had the line and they tossed her the line and they pulled her through the water to the shore," Murphy said.

The woman was taken to Waukesha Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

I’ts very unusual, seeing how cold it is and water how cold it is, it’s a blessing she’s alive, thank you Jesus," witness Louise Guadiana said.