Father wrecks into spillway canal after having seizure

7-year-old escapes sinking car, runs for help

A 29-year-old man had a seizure while driving his family back from a fishing trip at the Bonnet Carre Spillway on Sunday, which caused his vehicle to slide down the east guide levee and sink into a canal, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

When the vehicle began taking on water, the man’s 7-year-old son tried to get his 3-year-old sister out of the vehicle but was unable to do so. The boy then ran up the levee and made his way to the boat launch where he was able to track down four women.

“They said that the boy was in a panic, but he told them what happened and they put him in their vehicle and drove to the location of the vehicle,” Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange, spokesman with the Sheriff’s Office, said. “When they got there they saw that the car, along with a trailer it was carrying, was submerged in water.”

The women were able to pull the man and his 3-year-old daughter out of the vehicle and get them to safety. LaGrange said that it was apparent the 3-year-old had swallowed water while the vehicle was submerged.

The family refused medical attention at the scene, but did decide to visit East Jefferson Hospital later on that day, LaGrange said.

“They were very fortunate that the young boy was able to get out of the vehicle and seek help with women who were able to help pull them to safety,” LaGrange said. “This tragedy was avoided because of the quick actions of everybody involved.
“These women truly are heroes.”

Jake’s Towing removed the vehicle from the canal and spokesman Clint Jacob said everyone is lucky to be alive.

“When you see how much water the car was submerged in, you just have to be thankful that the little boy was able to escape and get some help,” he said.

 

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