Ingram Crew Rescues Driver Of Car That Drove Into River

An Ingram Marine crew rescued a woman who drove her car into the Ohio River September 13 in Paducah, Ky.

The Paducah Police Department reported that rescuers responded to the Kentucky Avenue entrance to the Ohio River at 2:48 a.m. after the 21-year-old Marion, Ill., woman drove her car into the river in an apparent suicide attempt.

A man walking near the foot of Broadway said he heard a vehicle accelerating and saw a car go airborne from the floodwall opening on Kentucky Avenue. The car ran into the river as the man was calling 911. 

When officers arrived, they saw the woman, screaming, and the car sinking into the river. As the woman swam toward shore, an Ingram Marine crew launched a small boat and pulled her from the river. 

The woman told police she intentionally drove the vehicle into the river in an attempt to kill herself, and officers said she appeared to be having a mental crisis. She was taken to Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital for medical attention and a mental health evaluation. 

Ingram Marine released a statement to Paducah NBC affiliate WPSD television at the time, saying, “Early this morning Ingram Marine crew members witnessed a car go into the Ohio River. They responded quickly and were able to rescue the car’s driver and bring her to shore safely, where EMS officials took over. We are very grateful for our crew’s quick response and so glad they were there to lend a hand.”