An incident just west of Walkerton required emergency responders to help rescue two stranded individuals.
LaPorte County authorities were called just before 5:30 a.m. to the Kankakee River at US 6 regarding a gold 2003 Chevrolet Impala that had crashed into the water.
Investigators believe the car was traveling westbound on the highway near County Road 550 East when it left the roadway to avoid an oncoming car driving in the wrong lane. Officers note it was raining heavily at the time.
A police report indicates the Impala traveled through a farm field and struck an embankment before crashing into the water. The car is thought to have floated about 50 yards downriver before stopping on the river bed. The water is about six feet deep in the area the car eventually stopped.
Two of the vehicle’s passengers were stranded on the roof. The driver of the car had made it to the river bank. Using a rope, emergency responders were able to rescue one of the passengers from the water. The other stranded passenger was able to swim to shore.
No injuries were reported in the ordeal.
A dive team was used to assist the towing service prior to removing it from the river. Each of the passengers was from the Michigan City area.
