Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. The following is the story in its entirety.
Credit – Marion County Police Dept.
Missing Texan Trapped for 3 Hours in Her Submerged Car Saved by Passing Fisherman–Learn How to Save Yourself Too
In an incredible story of luck and survival, a Texan was pulled from her submerged car after 3 hours under the water.
The woman had been reported missing by loved ones but was only discovered because a fisherman happened to see the faint outline of a car roof sticking up out of the water in a Texas lake.
The call to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office came in on Friday morning, according to a press release. At Lake O’the Pines, a fisherman said he saw a Jeep about 40 feet from the boat ramp.
It took 18 minutes for deputies to arrive. They determined it was too dangerous to wade out to the vehicle and instead took the fisherman’s boat out to the car after a wrecker had arrived to tow it out.
“It was at that time they saw the woman,” Police Capt. Chuck Rogers told Business Insider. “The fisherman and wrecker employee was able to help the woman from the Jeep. They placed her into the boat, and she was brought to shore.”
Longview Police Department in Texas, located about 25 miles south of the lake, had the woman, whose identity was not released, listed as a missing person, though no reports have emerged as to why or when.
Emergency services arrived and treated her for hypothermia—it had been a brisk morning, and the water was not warm.
Regarding the woman’s survival, details haven’t been released as to how much water entered the Jeep, how much air was available, or how long she was under; she claims at least several hours.
As soon as a car begins sinking in water, a very limited amount of time exists to save oneself, but there are effective methods that everyone should know of. The first step is to try and open the door, though usually sinking occurs too fast, or the weight of the water outside prevents this. The second step would be to open the window.
A car door, if unlocked, can be opened once the car is fully submerged and the air pressure inside and outside equalizes. If there are passengers in the backseats, the first priority is to stay calm, unlock all the doors, unbuckle all seatbelts, and open all the windows. If no one can escape during the sinking, everyone should be able to open the door and swim out once the whole car is submerged.
In the case of the Texas woman, her car was not fully submerged, which removed the immediate risk of drowning but meant the door and windows were stuck shut. She managed to survive in the cold water for 3 hours.
In such a case as this, hypothermia becomes a real risk, especially for young children and the elderly. Breaking the windows should become a top priority if there is a tool inside that’s capable of doing so.
If oxygen is entering the car from outside, continuously move the limbs as that will help generate heat, but if air is not coming into the cabin, the best option is to remain as calm as possible, slow and control your breathing, and use a phone if possible to call for help.
The good news here is the woman fought to survive despite the odds. Today’s JohnKu talks about inner strength. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Heart by John W. Howell © 2023
When times get tougher,
Our internal strength remains . . .
The best hope for help.
Fiction Favorites 
That does sound really lucky. I’m curious about the amount of water inside too.
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Looks like it was about a foot from the top so she had air. The cold water was the threat I think.
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Probably. Though I’ve read that you can get hypothermia in warm water too.
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So true. Anything below 98.6 degrees can get to you sooner or later.
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OMG! How very scary for her. Not sure I’d be able to keep calm. So pleased she was rescued in time.
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That would be a real scare for sure. Thanks, Darlene.
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This is a great story of the will to live.
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I thought so too, Lauren. 😁
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Wow! God was certainly watching over her! Thanks for sharing, John!
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You are so right, Jill.😁
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She is very fortunate the fisherman spotted her car.
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I know right? Gotta wonder how she got into that fix in the first place.
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Distracted driving, maybe?
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I wonder.
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Lucky some fisherman decided to brave the cold weather.
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That is true, Craig. Of course real fishermen don’t seem to care about the weather. Thanks.
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Yup. Pass the night crawlers.
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😁
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I read about this several days ago. Amazing! And I learned a lot about surviving if your car goes into the water. Thanks, John.
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My pleasure, Joan.
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It was a stroke of luck for her that she wasn’t fully submerged, was seen and rescued before hypothermia took her away, despite somehow being out in the lake in her vehicle.
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It was a miracle for sure. Thanks, Tim
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Oh yeah, luck or Divine intervention!
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I agree.
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I had seen this story. So good to hear everything worked out.
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Yes it was.
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What a great story, John. So glad the woman was saved – these are helpful tips, too. Staying calm could be the toughest thing to do.
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I agree, Barbara. Staying clam would be tough.
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That’s so scary. I’ve read about what to do if your car goes underwater, but this woman didn’t have that option. So lucky the man found her.
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Yes she was lucky for sure. Thanks, Teri
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What a scary situation, but thank God it was a good outcome. Thanks for sharing, John.
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Yes I think God was at the heart of the outcome. Thanks, Staci.
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I saw this and wondered how on earth she’s survived. God’s grace undoubtedly but like you, I’d like to know more!
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Yes we want to know more. Thanks, Noelle.
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Great story, John. Very lucky lady.
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Yes very lucky and very strong.
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I am as moved by this story as when I first read it. Despite all the global craziness, there’s immense goodness – ‘internal strength’. Thank you for this post, John. 😊
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Thank you for your comment, Gwen. Inner strength is indeed at work here.
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God has more plans for this lady’s life…miracles continue to exist. Good weekend wishes to you, John.
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Thank you so much, Jim. Best to you and Diane as well.
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Glad this story had a happy ending, John. So many times these situations do not have a positive outcome. Always worth a reminder of what to do – and not to do – if ever faced with this scenario.
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Good advice, Bruce. Yes, this story could have gone in a different direction.
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I have one of those tools in my car to break windows and cut seat belts. So glad she survived and so lucky the car was spotted.
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A great tool to have. I share your gladness, Denise.
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She was lucky, or had some higher power looking out for her. Thank goodness. Thanks for sharing the tips on what to do. I pray I never need to use them.
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I don’t want to have to use them either. I think you hit the nail on the head with ‘higher power.’ Thanks, Michele
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She was one lucky lady, but my curious mind would like to know how she wound up in the lake. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, John!
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I join you in the curiosity, Jan. She was very lucky.
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Indomitable!
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Great word. Thanks, Pam.
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Your JohnKu is just wonderful, especially in light of this news.
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Aw thank you, Jennie.
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You’re very welcome, John.
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😊
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Thanks for sharing this one, John! So glad there was a happy ending, and I’ve learned a few survival tricks, too … though I hope I never have to use them! Thanks for sharing, and love the JohnKu, also! 😀
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Thank you, Marcia. I’m glad it turned out okay too.
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What a terrifying situation! I can’t begin to imagine how long those three hours must have seemed to her. I’m so thankful she was rescued and that all turned out well.
A wonderful Fri-Yay post, and a fantastic JohnKu!
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Thank you, Mae. I’m sure she was terrified but still managed to survive.
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Good for the woman to keep her calm under what must have been frightening circumstances. She must have thought her life was over.
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Of course she had the heart to hang in there so I think she fought to stay alive.
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I had to circle back to catch this one, John. I’m glad I did. Three hours is s long time. I’m glad she was rescued. Thanks for including the information on what to do if you end up trapped in water.
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She was quite strong to be able to survive that long in the water.
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Her number had definitely not been called. I do know certain rules regarding a car and water (and hope to hell I would remember them should that ever happen – not that I want it to!)
Wonderful share, John.
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Yes. Her number is back in the hopper for sure. Thanks, Dale. I hope you never have to remember either.
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For sure! I hope I don’t need to!
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Yes,
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True!
Inner strength, as your JohnKu says, remains a best hope.
You have reminded me of when I was about 12, and rolled home in a blizzard.
Storms come up at the blink of an eye in the prairies. I was holding onto a pole, couldn’t walk into the wind.
I’d learned one could be low, and roll into the wind and snow. So I did.
🐂❄️🐂🌬🐂💨🐂
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Great idea on rolling into the snow. Glad you were spared. 🐂 🌺 🐂 🌸 🐂 🌹 🐂
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🤔 Hmm… I wonder if that’s why I like rock’n’roll music so much?
🐂 🌺 🪨🎼🥐 🐂 🌺
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I’m certain of it. 🎷🎺🎸🪕🎹🥁
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OX 🎷🎺🎸🪕🎹🥁 OX
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OX😁 OX😁 OX😁 OX😁
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õẋ♾️
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Whoa. Infinity. You win.
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Wow, what an amazing story. And the survival tips were a huge bonus. I didn’t know there was a way to survive a drowning vehicle. But the math makes sense if you can stay calm in a very chaotic situation and wait till it sinks and the pressure eases, you can open the door. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
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Yes it is always good to be prepared. Hopefully it will never be needed. Thanks, Debby.
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Hopefully, but always good to know. 🙂
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Yup.
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This story is frightening in that when I imagine such a scenario, I would hope I have the wherewithal to keep calm. It’s also inspiring to know that people will go above and beyond when it comes to human life, oftentimes risking their own in the process.
Great stuff Boss.
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It is that, Marc. Thank you for the super comment.
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You always gift us with something special on Fridays, Boss.
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😊
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Wonderful story, dear John! It is very encouraging! Thank you! 😊🍤🍤🍤🍻
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Thank you, Maria. I’m glad you liked it
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That sounds so frightening. I wonder what must have been going through that woman’s mind as she sat there, waiting. So glad she was rescued. I hope and pray she is somehow a stronger, better person as a result of this experience.
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She definitely had the will to live. Thanks, Betsy.
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