Here’s a cautionary tale to all dog owners (and drivers) to watch out for ice when driving this winter.
Two dogs and their owner had to be rescued from an icy Wyoming river this week after the truck they were travelling in was partially submerged in the freezing water. A concerned resident living near the Green River in western Wyoming alerted emergency services at around 10pm when he noticed the half submerged truck.
The truck submerged in the Green River in western Wyoming
Miraculously, both the owner and his two puppies survived due to the fast response of the emergency rescuers. It took a group of first responders, firefighters and highly trained ice rescue volunteers less than 30 minutes to get them out to safety quickly.
Daunting Task
In order to get to safety, the driver had to climb through the window to get onto his truck’s pickup bed. The man was able to reach the shore using a ladder that rescuers extended from the bank of the river to the truck. Once he was removed, the TipTop Search and Rescue team swooped in to rescue the dogs still trapped with the truck’s cabin.
By this point, the truck had become fully submerged. In order to retrieve it, the team had to attach a winch to the frame and with the help of two tow trucks, they were able to pull it out of the water.
The truck was salvaged after its passengers were rescued.
Working In Freezing Temperatures
Rarely does the TipTop Search and Rescue Team have to work in sub-zero temperatures, surrounded by ice and moving water. But due to the dedication and their training, the team was able to rescue the driver and his two fellow canine passengers during the Christmas festivities.
The driver is in a good condition and even the traumatic event couldn’t dampen his Christmas spirit.
It is currently unknown how the truck ended up in the river. However, authorities believe that ice on the roads as well as a sharp corner near the river played a role.
This should be a cautionary tale for all drivers to be careful around slippery surfaces and roads this winter.
