Okanogan County, Washington – Snowplow Falls Into Snow Creek

Okanogan County, Washington (January 19, 2020) – A snowplow fell into Salmon Creek near the intersection of Salmon Creek Road and Spring Coulee Road on Sunday morning. According to the report from The Spokesman-Review, the driver was unhurt in the incident and no other vehicles appear to be involved.

The incident occurred around 7 a.m. The icy road caused the snowplow to slide off and roll onto its side, getting stuck in the creek in the process. The snowplow was later hauled out of the water through the use of two two trucks. The incident also caused diesel fuel to be spilled into the creek, but a contractor has been hired by the State Department of Ecology to remove the leak.

About Car Accidents

It is fortunate that no injuries were involved in this accident. While there appear to be few statistics and study related to injuries and/or fatalities involved with vehicle drowning, it is very clear that a car falling into water is a serious situation. When the car falls into water, the amount of water that comes inside the vehicle depends on the rate that the vehicle entered the water. When a car gently slips into water for example, water gets inside slower, but a more forceful crash can easily push the water inside the vehicle and displace the air within. This is because a car is not completely sealed in, and after being submerged it will only be matter of minutes until the vehicle’s interior is flooded. If the windows haven’t been broken by the impact, the water pressure outside the vehicle will make opening any doors or windows more difficult. In any case, the priority in this situation would be to get out as soon as possible, and it has been recommended that anyone trapped inside a submerged vehicle should try to open an exit.

While it pays to keep in mind the steps necessary to take in such a situation, the best way to handle an accident is to try and prevent it. Make sure to drive carefully on roads that are near bodies of water, and to be aware of other drivers on such roads. By following traffic regulations, we can easily help to avoid accidents that can result in injuries, loss or damage to us and the people around us.

[cta]