CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich. – U.S. Border Patrol Agents who were patrolling on snowmobiles rescued a motorist who got trapped inside a vehicle after a rollover crash in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Chippewa County Central Dispatch called for assistance with a rollover crash near Paradise on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The car allegedly rolled into a large ditch filled with water, and the driver was trapped.
Snow caused poor road conditions, so emergency responders were having difficulty getting to the location quickly.
Agents from the Sault Ste. Marie Station were patrolling on snowmobiles in the area and were the first to get to the crash scene.
When they arrived, they entered the car through a window to try and get the driver out, but the victim was trapped by the steering wheel.
The agents deflated the airbag and held the victim’s head out of the water to keep them from drowning.
They also worked with bystanders to secure the car to a tree and used lumber to keep it from sinking further.
Whitefish Township fire officials arrived and worked with the agents to free the trapped motorist.
“I’m proud of the agents who responded quickly to this potentially tragic event and didn’t hesitate to climb into the vehicle to help the trapped motorist,” said Chief Patrol Agent John Morris. “The quick thinking and selfless actions of these agents and bystanders allowed the precious time necessary for more help to arrive.”
