Published: 1/21/2022


FIVE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM HYPOTHERMIA WERE TREATED AFTER THEIR PICKUP WAS SWEPT OFF OF MT. ZION ROAD BY HIGH WATER IN SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.  UNITS FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES RESPONDED TO A 911 CALL THAT WAS RECEIVED AROUND 3:30 AM.  HIGH WATER HAMPERED THE RESPONSE EFFORT AND THE VICTIMS HAD GOTTEN THEMSELVES OUT OF THE WATER BY THE TIME UNITS ARRIVED. FIRST RESPONDERS MADE CONTACT WITH THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN WHO REPORTED THAT THEIR VEHICLE HAD BEEN SWEPT OFF OF THE ROAD SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT. AFTER GETTING THEMSELVES OUT OF THE WATER, THE GROUP HIKED TO THE TOP OF A NEARBY HILL IN ORDER TO GET CELL SERVICE AND SUMMON HELP. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 27 DEGREES AND THE VICTIMS WERE WET, COLD, AND SUFFERING FROM HYPOTHERMIA.  THEY WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE BUT DECLINED TRANSPORT TO A MEDICAL FACILITY.  THE VICTIMS NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.