Firefighters Rescue Driver from Overturned Car in MA Pond

SHREWSBURY — Firefighters rescued a driver trapped in a partly submerged car before dawn Saturday.

Another driver called 911 shortly before 4:30 a.m. to report a vehicle had crashed into Jordan Pond, and its occupant was trapped inside. The passerby called right away and stayed on the scene, fire shift commander Capt. Aaron Roy said.

The trapped driver was banging on his window, unable to escape his car, he said.

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Firefighters arrived to find the car was on its roof in about 4 feet of water. Firefighters in cold water rescue suits entered the pond to try to free the occupant, but could not get the car doors open because of the way the vehicle was positioned and the slippery banking.

A second rescue vehicle arrived shortly after, and its winch was used to pull the car out of the water.

Once the car was on shore, the driver's side window was broken to release residual water inside

An extrication tool was needed to get the victim through the driver's side door.

The victim, by then unconscious, was removed from the vehicle about 10 minutes after firefighters arrived. Worcester EMS began treatment at the scene, and the victim was taken to UMass Memorial Health Care — University Campus.

The temperature at the time was about 20 degrees.