3 people rescue driver from submerged vehicle in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Three people who helped a driver who was trapped under a partially submerged vehicle after a crash in Madera County have been recognized by the California Highway Patrol.

On Sunday, at around 7:50 a.m., CHP says they responded to a solo vehicle traffic crash on Road 35, south of Avenue 9 in Madera County.

During the investigation, officers say it was determined a 24-year-old man from Fresno was driving a 2000 Subaru Outback, northbound on Road 35. The driver lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road, onto the east dirt shoulder.

As a result, CHP says the Subaru overturned and landed on its roof, inside an irrigation canal filled with water. The Subaru became partially submerged with the driver trapped inside. Several motorists stopped to render aid, and the driver was estimated to be underwater for around five to 10 minutes.

Officers say two men, Donald Paul Hansen and Miguel Paul Bazan of Madera went into the canal and extricated the driver out of the Subaru. An unidentified off-duty nurse who also witnessed the crash stopped to render aid. Hansen and the off-duty nurse began CPR until emergency personnel arrived on the scene.

Investigators say although the driver was transported to a local hospital with major injuries, thanks to the actions and the medical aid provided by the three motorists, he is expected to survive. They say it is believed he was driving under the influence and was released to the custody of the hospital due to his injuries.

CHP Madera says the three residents who stopped to bring aid to the driver will be nominated for the Fresno and Madera Counties Police Chief’s Association 34th Annual Citizen Award Program.

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