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Montana Trooper Rescues Woman from Partially Submerged Car in River

Trooper Connor Wager responded Thursday to a report of a rollover crash and found a car on its roof in the freezing river water with the front end submerged and the driver trapped inside.

January 18, 2021
Montana Trooper Rescues Woman from Partially Submerged Car in River

Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Conor Wager rescued a woman from this car, which was in the Yellowstone River. (Photo: Montana Highway Patrol/Facebook)

A Montana Highway Patrol trooper is being credited with saving a woman's life after wading into the Yellowstone River and breaking a window in a partially submerged car.

Trooper Connor Wager responded Thursday to a report of a rollover crash, according to a post on the Montana Highway Patrol's Facebook page.

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Wager found a car on its roof in the freezing river water with the front end submerged and the driver trapped inside, the patrol said.

"Realizing that this was a potentially life-threatening situation, Trooper Wager tethered himself with a rope and entered the frigid water making his way through the fast moving current to the overturned vehicle," the MHP said. "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 vehicle."

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 at Livingston HealthCare and released.

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