Teen rescued from Stilly improving, family says

Published 12:59 pm Thursday, April 16, 2009

STANWOOD — The girl who was rescued after she drove a car into the Stillaguamish River Wednesday is recovering.

“The family of Julie Faragher has shared that she is in critical condition, but improving at Providence Hospital in Everett after she was involved in a serious car accident yesterday morning,” Stanwood-Camano School District spokeswoman Cathy Britt said.

The teen apparently was driving her red Dodge Neon just before 9 a.m. along Marine Drive NW when for some reason she skidded across the road and drove into a slough.

Julie is 16 and a junior at Lincoln Hill High School, an alternative school.

Two carpet installers from Darrow’s Carpet Services saw the crash and jumped in to help, officials said. They were quickly joined by Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies and Stanwood police. North County Fire &EMS crews rushed to help with the rescue effort.

Julie was pulled unconscious from the fully submerged car. She wasn’t breathing.

Rescuers did CPR to resuscitate the teenager. She was rushed to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

“Julie’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the people who helped rescue their daughter and for the support they have received from friends and family,” Britt said.

Counselors will be available to students and teachers in the district’s two high schools if they need extra support.