GRAFTON, MASS. (WHDH) - A good Samaritan who sprang into action is being credited with preventing what could have been a “tragic” outcome after a driver crashed into a river in Grafton late Friday night and a female passenger became trapped in the sinking vehicle, officials said.
Officers responding to a reported crash on Worcester Street around 10 p.m. found a vehicle that was fully submerged in the river and both occupants on the shore, according to the Grafton Police Department.
An investigation determined the vehicle was driving down Wheeler Road when the driver hit black ice and slid off the road and into a river.
The driver was able to escape but the female passenger became trapped.
That’s when a passing motorist, Chris Etre, of Grafton, jumped into the water and broke a rear window to help the woman out before the vehicle became completely submerged in the river.
Although there were no reported injuries, the occupants were taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center to be evaluated.
In a statement, police said, “The Grafton Police Department wants to recognize and commend Chris Etre for his actions and quick response during this incident. Without his rapid intervention, the outcome could have been tragic.”
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