CHURCHS FERRY, N.D. – A North Dakota state trooper is being credited with saving an 81-year-old woman from freezing to death after she lost control of her car near Churchs Ferry and went into a water-filled slough Wednesday.
North Dakota Highway Patrol Sgt. Joe Knowski said the woman, Merti Kurtti, 81, of Rocklake, was driving south on Highway 281 in light snow at around 3:24 Wednesday when she lost control of her 2010 Toyota Yaris.
The car started to swerve and went into the east ditch, landing in a slough between the railroad tracks and the highway.
State Trooper Grant Lonski arrived at the scene to find the vehicle already submerged in water up to the top of the seats, and Kurtti’s neck, Knowski said.
He plunged into the cold water up to his navel and dragged Kurtti from the vehicle.
Kurtti was taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia while Lake Region Search and Rescue helped the towing company pull the totaled car out of the water.
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