SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- Newly released video shows Salt Lake City police officers and firefighters help save children from a submerged vehicle Saturday night.
Crews responded to reports of a vehicle with five occupants that landed upside down in the Jordan Surplus Canal after the driver lost control around 11 p.m., according to a news release.
The woman and four children, ages 17, 16, 15, and 2, were in the car driving near Indiana Avenue and Delong Street when it went into the water.
The driver and two older children were able to escape from the submerging vehicle, but the two youngest were still trapped when several Salt Lake City police officers arrived.
Upon arrival, four officers quickly removed their vests and belts and ran into the water to save the children as the car slipped under the surface. One officer dived into the water several times to enter through a window but was unable to get in due to the murkiness of the water.
"With no thought to personal safety, officers immediately stripped their gear and attempted a daring rescue of these two children," Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said. "It was dark. The water was cold. But these officers did not hesitate to come to the aid and work to save lives. I am proud of them and thankful to the bystanders who helped during this incident."
The Salt Lake City Fire Department arrived and several firefighters dove into the river to help the rescue efforts. One firefighter was able to use his SCBA to make entry and retrieve the 2-year-old child from the vehicle. Both patients were passed on to waiting Salt Lake City Fire Paramedics and they were able to resuscitate them.
"The rescue of these two children illustrates the dedication of Salt Lake City’s public safety employees. The immediate action of both SLCPD and SLCFD brought both children out of the water and to awaiting medical care," Salt Lake City Fire Chief Karl Lieb said. "Anything less would not have given these kids even a chance of survival. This is what we do. And I am exceedingly proud of our team’s commitment to preserving life – even at great risk to our own."
The children were transported to an area hospital for treatment. The 15-year-old male succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
"Our hearts ache for his family and we mourn their loss with them," officials said in a statement.
