Lake Stevens, Everett and Snohomish firefighters work to free a woman from a vehicle that landed on its top in a water-filled ditch on the north end of Home Acres Road on Ebey Island early Saturday morning. (Doug Ramsay / For the Herald)

Lake Stevens, Everett and Snohomish firefighters work to free a woman from a vehicle that landed on its top in a water-filled ditch on the north end of Home Acres Road on Ebey Island early Saturday morning. (Doug Ramsay / For the Herald)

Woman rescued from car after 25 minutes trapped in icy water

She found a pocket of air in the car where she could breathe while waiting to be freed.

EVERETT — A woman spent more than 25 minutes in a car submerged in water while crews worked to rescue her Saturday morning.

At 5:25 a.m., firefighters from Lake Stevens and Everett responded to a call about a car rolled over in a ditch at the intersection of Home Acres Road and 51st Avenue SE, on Ebey Island.

When crews arrived, they found the car was upside down and three-quarters under water.

A rescue swimmer with Lake Stevens Fire broke the passenger side window and found there was a woman, possibly in her 40s, inside.

Her leg was stuck and she couldn’t get out on her own. She had found a small pocket of air toward the back where she could breathe.

Getting to her would take time — the fire department had never rescued someone from a car under water before, said Heather Chadwick, a spokeswoman representing Lake Stevens Fire.

The teams from Lake Stevens and Everett were joined by personnel from Marysville Fire, Snohomish County Fire District 4 and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

“This was a pretty complex call,” Chadwick said.

The water was cold, too, between 40 and 45 degrees. The swimmer had to take a break after a few minutes to warm up, Chadwick said.

Eventually, the crew cut off the back door to get the woman out of the car. They immediately transported her to a hospital to be treated for extreme hypothermia.

The swimmer was also taken to a hospital to be treated for mild hypothermia.

The rescue took 25 minutes. It’s unclear how long the woman was in the water or the extent of her injuries, Chadwick said.

“She could’ve been in there quite a long time,” she said. “With the water that cold, she’s pretty lucky.”

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last

The climate justice group has enough funding to aid 80 households with making the transition to heat pumps and electric ranges

Everett Fire Department’s color guard Jozef Mendoza, left, and Grady Persons, right, parade the colors at the end of the ceremony on Worker’s Memorial Day on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County officials honor Worker’s Memorial Day

Work-related injuries kill thousands of people nationwide every year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.