Good Samaritan rescues driver after truck plunges into Crow River
ROGERS, Minn. — A good Samaritan helped rescue a man — and potentially save his life — after he crashed into the Crow River late Monday afternoon in Rogers.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a 25-year-old man was driving a Chevrolet box truck northbound on Highway 101 when the vehicle went off the roadway. The truck struck the right guardrail and sign before it veered to the left and struck the left guardrail, launching into the river.
That's when Christopher Kirk, who was driving behind the Chevrolet, jumped into action.
"Instinct kicked in, I jumped the guard rail, baseball slid down to the bottom, jumped in the water, then onto the flatbed," said Kirk.
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Kirk says he found the driver partially submerged in water. He grabbed the man's shoulder and "pulled him as hard as I could up out of the water," and onto the flatbed.
Kirk knew the dangers of the frigid water and moved quickly.
"I told him, 'You're freezing cold, in the middle of a river, on a flat bed truck right now – let's get the heck out of here,'" he said.
He credits his instincts and adrenaline for making the rescue a success.
"I saw someone in trouble, and just thought I have to help do whatever I can," he said.
The driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The crash is under investigation.