Trooper Rescues Woman From Submerged Vehicle In Freezing River

January 17, 2021

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper saved a woman from her submerged vehicle in the Yellowstone River.

Credit: Montana Highway Patrol

Trooper Connor Wager entered the icy water after responding to a rollover crash south of the town of Emigrant.

"After arriving on scene, he found a vehicle on its roof with the front end completely submerged in the Yellowstone River. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and the water was nearly freezing," the Montana Highway Patrol said on Twitter.

"Wager tethered himself with a rope and entered the water making his way through the fast moving current to the overturned vehicle. The strong current prevented the rear hatch from opening, so he broke through the rear window with a rescue tool and pulled the woman out of the car.

With the help of first responders on the shoreline, Trooper Wager and the victim were able to make it safely back to shore where the driver was treated by EMS. Trooper Wager was treated for minor injuries and released."