US

Heroic Passers-By Jump Into Icy River to Rescue Children From Crash

Passers By Save Children From Icy River Crash

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former police officer Chris Willden didn’t hesitate when he realized children were trapped in an upside down car in an icy Utah river. He pulled his handgun, pushed it up against the submerged windows and shot out the glass.

Then he reached inside.

“I was trying to grab arms, but I couldn’t feel anything,” Willden said. “I’m thinking … what are we going to do?’”

But he turned to see up to eight other passers-by had scrambled down the embankment to help after coming upon the accident along U.S. 89 in Logan Canyon on Saturday afternoon.

Highway Patrol Lt. Steve Winward said that after shooting out a window, the rescuer cut a seatbelt to free one child. He said the rescuers helped turn the Honda Accord upright in the Logan River.

They lifted the car enough to free the three trapped children.

The driver, Roger Andersen, 46, of Logan, had lost control of the car as he tried to brake while heading northbound in slippery conditions. His 9-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son were trapped along with a second 9-year-old girl.

“(The driver) was panicked, doing everything he could to get in through the doors, but they wouldn’t budge,” said Willden, who had jumped into the water with his own father.

“I remember thinking to myself, `You’re going to see some dead kids, get ready. I’ve got three of my own and it was going to be (an awful) start to the New Year.”

Willden, who jumped into the water with his father, said he tried unsuccessfully to open windows and doors. He then used his firearm just as he had done in training for his current job as a bodyguard and Department of Defense contractor.

One of the girls had found an air pocket and was breathing fine but was trapped in her seat belt. Willden cut it with a pocket knife and pulled her from the rear passenger window.

He said the other two children were lifeless, the boy upside down in his car seat and the second girl floating in the front passenger compartment. Both were pulled from the vehicle.

Buzzy Mullahkel of North Logan told the Deseret News of Salt Lake City that the boy wasn‘t breathing and didn’t have a pulse but was revived when another passer-by performed CPR.

“Emotions started taking over when he started to breathe. Everybody started to cheer. Lots of tears and clapping,” said Mullahkel, a father of a 4-year-old.

Willden, 35 of Ogden, was wrapping up his bleeding forearms cut by the broken window when he heard cheers.

“That was awesome,” he said. “I knew that’s where the little boy was.”

He would later learn both the boy and his sister, who were flown by air ambulance to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, had survived.

Bonnie Midget, a hospital spokeswoman, said Sunday both are doing well after spending the night in intensive care. They were taken out of intensive care Sunday but still in the hospital, listed in fair condition as they recover from hypothermia.

Winward said the father and the second girl escaped injury.

Mullahkel said the scene reminded him of another heroic rescue in Logan earlier this year. In that case, bystanders lifted a burning car off an injured motorcyclist and pulled him to safety. The motorcyclist survived and is recovering from his injuries.

“It was eerily similar,” Mullahkel told the Deseret News. “Those men in the river just even now blow my mind. Look at these gentlemen, these men in this river in the middle of winter.”

Willden said simply there was a mission to be accomplished.

He noted that both he and his father are both former military/civilian police officers, while his sister and mother are emergency medical technicians.

“It’s in our family to go out and help others,” he said.

Comments (46)

1 2
  • iStorm
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:24pm

    Great Story. I love hearing about good stuff. And Ron Paul.

    Report Post » iStorm  
    • SpeckChaser
      Posted on January 3, 2012 at 7:17pm

      Why do Paul supporters bring him up irrelevantly? Do you think that type of Paul promotion actually draws people in? From what I have seen it just pushes people away. IMO, I think y’all know support for him is low and are trying to artificially boost his approval, along with the democrats. I just don’t understand why his own supporters are intentionally doing his campaign harm.

      Report Post » SpeckChaser  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:09pm

    another one of GOD S miracles working in good people s hearts

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
  • MBA
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:44pm

    This type of action is typical in Utah because the Church teaches compassion and support for those in need — And the state is filled with good people–guns and all. This was an unusual accident, but the wards are always the first to start packing necessities for shipping when there is an emergency (earthquake, flood, etc) somewhere in the world. I’m not a Mit fan because of romneycare–but he probably wouldn’t be a bad candidate for president because of the outstanding focus on humanity inspired by the LDS church. (And isn’t that what the liberals say the gop is lacking?)

    Report Post »  
  • Bronco II
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:20pm

    GOD was there and sent help to this family with his own army of angels.Thank you all for helping show what is still very much great about America and the people.Bless you and your family.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • Latter-Day-Soldier
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:31pm

    Kudos to those courageous individuals! Fellow Americans at there best!
    Essential tools to keep in a car for this type of situation: Small rescue hammer designed to safely break windows with seat belt cutters or a good pocketknife. Solar or wool blankets (surplus military are awesome) and heat packs.

    Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • RojBlake
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:06pm

    I have always been taught that a firearm is a TOOL, this story illustrates that perfectly.

    God bless the rescuers, & thank God that they weren’t afraid to “get involved’!

    Report Post » RojBlake  
  • rtist542010
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:42pm

    This is what true Americans are all about. God bless ‘em!

    Report Post »  
  • PJL
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:19pm

    More Utah heroes, if you’re counting this is the 5th story on Utahans jumping into harms way to save another in the last few months, they raise them right up there. Bless their harts.

    Report Post » PJL  
  • American Mensch
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:07pm

    Wow. That was the perfect ending to a possibly tragic story.

    Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:31pm

      Finally, good news. Nice start to 2012, on New Years Eve.

      Report Post »  
  • ZaphodsPlanet
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:26pm

    This story made my day, right along with the sniper story and the other story about the American Heritage Girls here on The Blaze. God bless all those in this rescue effort. This is what the real America looks like… and is all about.

    Report Post » ZaphodsPlanet  
  • sailorV
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:46am

    Heroics all around! And to the other “passer-by” who performed CPR and revived the boy…well done. You deserve to be named and recognized for your preparedness and your actions.

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:57am

    This is what America looks like-true heroes are raised here. Hope all is well with the other children, Bless them all.

    Report Post »  
  • Female
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:43am

    HANDGUN and POCKETKNIFE saves lives!
    …..ooooh my…..

    “Bodyguard and DOD contractor” ….hmmm….I watch way too many spy shows?

    May the LORD, bless, watch and keep them and their families safe!

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:57am

      Yep! My thoughts exactly!
      Handgun and pocketknife. Bravery, and good timing. He was PREPARED.
      God through this man‘s READINESS saved these children’s lives.
      Bless them all.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • prkw
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:38am

    I’m glad that everything turned out okay. Many commuters around here (South Louisiana, New Orleans area) have an automatic center punch in their cars in case of emergency if their car goes over the side on the numerous many-mile long bridges. Small ball peen hammer works as well too.

    Either one will shatter the side window into tiny bits on impact.

    Report Post » prkw  
  • M5liss1
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:35am

    More true heroes! I’m glad one guy had a gun…..second amendment rights…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.

    Report Post »  
  • bigfatslob
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:30am

    God Bless America, we still have Heros who don’t depend on gubermint to do it all.

    Report Post » bigfatslob  
  • Military Vet
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:13am

    No disrespect to the rescuers, god bless them, but the attached picture contradicts the story.

    Report Post »  
    • TBTNK9
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:26am

      No contradiction. Initially the car was upside down in the water and other rescuers righted the car so they could get the children out.

      Report Post »  
    • one.dakine.howlie
      Posted on January 3, 2012 at 12:47pm

      How does it contradict the story? The car was upside down and passers-by jumped into the river and turned the car back over. Read the story my friend.

      Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:26am

    If this had happened in or around Chicago, the rescuer would not have had his gun along, because of the gun control laws they have there. This family should count themselves blessed that they live where they do. Sad.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • Darla_K
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:09am

    I hope if anything like this was to happen to my family that these heros would be there for us. God Bless and thankyou for your courageous act of heroisim.

    Report Post » Darla_K  
  • SageInWaiting
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:25am

    Too many of the elites on both coasts would discount this… these are the scared folk in fly-over country clinging to their Bibles and guns (as a candidate once put it). Expect the AG and DoJ to come down hard on this; after all, government IS the first and ONLY option in situations like this and here common sheeple to it upon themselves to act. This is NOT the “collective way.”

    Report Post » SageInWaiting  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:11am

      Look what a handgun(only meant for killing people) did. Not to mention the knife which you cannot even take on an airplane anymore. Two reasons I do not fly. I remain a responsible adult just like these people….minus the hero status. Very nice job people.

      Report Post »  
    • gotta light
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:39am

      TRUST ME ON THIS… Good thing Teddy Kennedy wasn’t around!!!!!
      Otherwise there could have been a much different outcome…
      Go Ahead ask Mary Jo Kopechne she’ll tell ya….
      Wait a minute……. LOL

      Hey bud gotta light?

      Report Post » gotta light  
    • toto
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:19pm

      Wonderful end to a possible tragedy thanks to well prepared gun toting people. Never before have I been so afraid of what our government is doing to us while they tell us that they are doing it for us. Sure hope people wake up to their lost freedoms and that WE do something about it.

      Report Post »  
  • DirtyDeeds
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:24am

    Miracles are real. God puts people in the right place and it is up to us to make the right choice. Cheers to the rescuers!

    Report Post » DirtyDeeds  
    • RockinChuck
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:37am

      I was thinking the same thing Dirtydeeds.

      Report Post » RockinChuck  
    • bigdaddyt46
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:58am

      your statement was exactly what i was gonna post, you beat me to it lol nice job yourself

      Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
  • quicker
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:01am

    God bless these people .There are always Angel amoung us.Thank God for these people.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • Isaiah52021
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:01am

    I hope to God they are playing this story on every news network, they truly are heros, their quick thinking, bravery and having their weapons on them saved those childrens lives. Many blessings to all involved, and God speed for those kids. Amazing story!

    Report Post » Isaiah52021  
  • Konacow
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:59am

    And people ask me why I carry a gun, well there is another reason this man showed how a gun can save a life or in this case three lives. Great job to all whom did this rescue !!!!!

    Report Post » Konacow  
  • nzkiwi
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:48am

    Bless them. Hearty applause to them from the other side of the planet.

    Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:21am

      Morning, NZ, hope things are good there. Haven’t heard much from SHOWTIME and hope all is well with her also. It is heart warming to read that angels come in many forms and they were at the right place at the right time. I hope your family has a very blessed New Year.

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:45am

      Hi, Grandma.

      I ate some humble pie and came back.

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:46am

      Very happy to see that! Must say I haven’t been as dilligent lately either but, like you, am going to try to make time. Hope the girls and your wife are well and all is good. God bless.

      Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love