Rowers rescue woman after car plunges into Schuylkill River
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A woman was rescued from her vehicle that plunged into the Schuylkill River Tuesday.
It happened around 5:30 p.m. near Martin Luther King and Strawberry Mansion drives.
Two rowers from the Penn Athletic Club were in their sculler racing shell about to start practice when they saw headlights from a car shining through the water. They jumped in the frigid water and managed to rescue the driver.
One of the rowers, who wished to remain anonymous, gave the following account to Action News:
"It was definitely shocking and I didn't know how to react at first. One of us jumped in and tried to open one of the doors, then went around and tried to open the other door. It wouldn't open; it was closed. Went back around to the first door and found the person that was in the vehicle and pulled them out. The person was unresponsive, but breathing slightly."
The 61-year-old driver was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. There is no word on her condition.
Police are still trying to figure out how the car ended up in the river, but are grateful to the row team.
"We're thankful to these rowers, who heroically went into the water to rescue this individual and got them out of the water, got them to safety and provided first aid," said Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker. "They did all the right things."
The rowers said they were just glad they were able to help.
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