News

Elderly Granite Falls man rescued from submerged truck

Photo:

Apr 6, 2012 at 1:20 pm

GRANITE FALLS, Minn. (AP) - Sheriff's officials say a 23-year-old man jumped into an icy lake in Yellow Medicine County and rescued an elderly driver from his sunken pickup.

Sheriff Bill Flaten says Evan Wintz spotted the sinking pickup in Tyson Lake Tuesday afternoon and realized it was occupied. Wintz jumped into the lake and swam about 20 to 30 yards to help 84-year-old Harlan Schwerin out of the vehicle. KMHL radio says the truck became completely submerged in 8 feet of water.

Wintz and Schwerin were able to stand on top of the truck in the lake in waist-deep water until rescuers arrived.

Schwerin was taken to the hospital in Marshall, was treated and released.