California man is rescued from submerged Jeep Wrangler via helicopter
Audio By Carbonatix
Sometimes the Jeep Wrangler can give drivers a confidence boost. But that doesn’t mean they should attempt dangerous off-roading challenges like fording rivers. A California man learned this the hard way when he was rescued from the roof of his SUV via helicopter.
California man gets Jeep Wrangler stuck in river
Two California men are lucky to be alive after nearly being swept away by the fast-moving South Fork Carson River in Alpine County, California.
They were enjoying an off-roading trip while trying to cross the river to visit nearby hot springs. As the men tried to drive across the river, the Jeep Wrangler became submerged and started shifting in rising waters.
As 40-degree water filled the cabin, the men climbed out of the windows and sat on the roof. They didn’t have any cellphone service and used a Starlink satellite to call for help.
Alpine County Police officers got their exact GPS location thanks to the connection and sent a helicopter to survey the situation. Photos and updates were shared with a 4×4 ground team. The helicopter hoisted the man to safety.
Then police officers assisted 775 Off Road and Recovery with pulling the Jeep Wrangler out of the water. According to Carson Now, the SUV was no longer drivable due to water damage.
Personnel performed health checks for the men once they were safely returned to shore. Luckily, no one was injured.
The timely response from 755 Off-Road and Recovery, the Alpine County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Search and Rescue, and California Highway Patrol made a real difference.
