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Rice woman, daughter saved from watery Benton County crash

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Nov 22, 2011 at 11:39 am

RICE, Minn. (KNSI) - A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were rescued by good Samaritans Tuesday after the young woman's car rolled off a Benton County road and landed upside-down and submerged in three feet of water, Benton County authorities said.

Gretchen Wolbeck, 26, of Rice was traveling along Benton County Road 2 just east of Rice around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday when she lost control of the vehicle, Benton County Sheriff Brad Bennett said.

The car then skidded and rolled, landing upside down in up to three feet of standing backwater just off the roadway, Bennett said.

Bennett said two passers-by came upon the crash site and jumped into action, grabbing a piece of lumber and smashing in a window to help get to the mother and child inside.

Without the quick action by Craig Harden, 21, of Rice and the other unidentified rescuer, Bennett said the outcome would likely have been tragic.

"I think they probably saved their lives," Bennett said. "Good job...just plain and simple. It was outstanding, one of the best things they could do in their lives -- to help somebody else."

Bennett said investigators were still hoping to identify the other man involved in the rescue. The witness left before emergency personnel could take down his name.

Wolbeck and her daughter were transported to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation.