Wreck sent car into canal

WALTERVILLE; Shortly after 7 p.m. last Tuesday residents of Page Lane and Walterville Loop ran frantically to the bridge over the EWEB power canal after a car ran off the road and took out a power line. Neighbors quickly gathered to pull a young woman from her vehicle that had plummeted into the canal. Emergency personnel also responded within 5 minutes.

Upon arrival, crews from McKenzie Fire & Rescue reported they found that the driver was able to exit the vehicle safely, however, it was fully submerged in the Walterville Canal. Damage to a power pole was also noted.

Initial patient care was provided by a medical team from the Lookout Fire crew, who were camped nearby.

13 members of McKenzie Fire & Rescue responded to the incident in eight apparatus, while three others arrived in privately owned vehicles. McKenzie Fire & Rescue personnel remained on the scene for over an hour, assisting with patient care, traffic control, and coordinating with the Eugene Water & Electric Board personnel for the replacement of the power pole and removal of the car from the canal.