LAKE STEVENS — A wrong turn in dark and foggy conditions resulted in an elderly woman driving down a boat ramp and into frigid Lake Stevens Thursday night.
Around 8:10 p.m., Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a car sinking in Lake Stevens and a driver trapped inside.
A good Samaritan saw the car, called 911 and immediately jumped into the 40 degree water — cold enough to quickly incapacitate someone, firefighters say. The car was about 100 feet from the shore and sinking when firefighters arrived. Off-duty firefighter and rescue swimmer Alex Fatkin was at home when he saw the call come through, Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue said on social media. He quickly threw on his wetsuit and snorkel gear, rushed to the scene and entered the frigid water.
Rescue swimmers and the good Samaritan worked to secure the car and free the driver.
“If the good Samaritan wasn’t there, I believe the driver would not have been able to get out of the car themselves,” said Peter Mongillo, spokesperson for Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue.
Firefighters transported the driver to a local hospital to be treated for cold water exposure. Firefighters also treated the good Samaritan for cold water exposure on the scene.
Dark and foggy conditions can make still water look like a solid surface, firefighters said in the post. This was the third vehicle found in Lake Stevens in the past year, Mongillo said.
“If your vehicle enters the water, stay calm and roll down the window immediately,” the post said. “Attempt to open the door but understand it may only open once the water pressure equalizes. Do not prioritize retrieving personal belongings like your phone or bag—focus on escaping quickly.”
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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