Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

~ John W. Howell

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

By

Andy Corbley

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.

 

86 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News”

  18. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. 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! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  24. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Good for the woman to keep her calm under what must have been frightening circumstances. She must have thought her life was over.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. 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.
    🐂❄️🐂🌬🐂💨🐂

    Liked by 1 person

  29. 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. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  30. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

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