Renton, Washington – One Person Injured In Submerged Vehicle Incident

Renton, Washington (March 16, 2020) – One person was reported to have sustained injuries in an incident involving a vehicle that crashed into the river at the 17400 block of Renton-Maple Valley Road. According to the tweet from Puget Sound Fire, crews from Puget Sound Fire and the Renton Fire Department were dispatched to the scene for a rescue, but found the patient already out of the river. The patient was reported to have non-life-threatening injuries. The patient was later transported for treatment. Crews stayed on scene to remove the vehicle from the river, with assistance from the Washington State Patrol, and the King County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the crash was not reported.

About Car Accidents

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.

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