EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Emergency crews were called to the southern part of Vanderburgh County late Wednesday morning for a water rescue after a vehicle slid off a flooded bridge. The incident occurred near Schissler and W. Franklin Road, close to Kercher Farm.
According to dispatch, the driver of the car attempted to cross a flooded bridge when the vehicle slid off and became trapped in higher water. The two occupants of the car were able to escape safely and climb onto the roof of the vehicle, where they waited for assistance. Fortunately, the rescue operation was quick, and both individuals were safely brought to shore without injury.
Perry Township Fire Department responded to the scene and conducted the rescue. Captain Lucas Artman, who oversees training for such incidents, explained the department’s preparedness for these types of calls. “Each rescue is different. The water in this case wasn’t running, and it was less than knee-high, so we were able to walk out and get them safely with life vests,” Artman said. “However, with running water, the situation changes significantly, and we need to take additional precautions.”
Jerry Bulger, a firefighter with Perry Township, noted that this was the second water rescue call the department had responded to within just 12 hours. Despite the quick resolution, officials stressed that the incident could have been avoided entirely. “We’re tying up about three crews right now, along with AMR and the sheriff’s department, for something that could’ve been prevented,” said Captain Artman.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and AMR also responded to the call, assisting in the coordination of the rescue. Firefighters emphasized the importance of not attempting to drive through flooded roadways. “Turn around, don’t drown,” said Bulger. “It doesn’t matter how deep the water looks. You can’t always tell how high the water is, or whether there’s a road beneath it.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported from the incident. However, this event serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by flooding, particularly after heavy rainfall has caused water to cover roadways across the Tri-State area. The quick response from emergency services highlights the ongoing preparedness for these types of rescues, but officials urge the public to be more cautious when traveling in conditions like these.
Rescue operations have been frequent throughout the region in recent days, with responders continuing to face challenges posed by ongoing floodwaters.
