Woman from Indiana dies in car accident after vehicle falls into Ketchikan Creek
In downtown Ketchikan, Alaska, a tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning when a vehicle veered off course from the Centennial Parking Lot. The vehicle careened through a parking spot, crashed through a fence, and ultimately landed in Ketchikan Creek near the Good Fortune Restaurant on 4 Creek Street. Among the unfortunate repercussions of this accident, multiple pedestrians were struck, with one individual succumbing to her injuries. The deceased victim was a 57-year-old woman from Auburn, Indiana.
The aftermath of the vehicle’s plunge into Ketchikan Creek left a trail of injuries in its wake. Two individuals were rushed to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center in critical condition, with one of them later meeting a tragic fate. The valiant efforts of some bystanders did not go unnoticed, with one local resident, identified as Dylan Self, and a visiting tourist leaping into the creek to assist in the rescue efforts. Self recounted his experience breaking the vehicle’s window with a rock, extracting the driver, and administering CPR atop the submerged car to maintain vitality before emergency personnel intervened. The harrowing ordeal ended with Self receiving medical treatment for a severe cut sustained while shattering the window, exemplifying the courage and selflessness displayed during the chaotic event.
The swift response of the Ketchikan Fire Department’s swift-water rescue team was pivotal in extracting individuals from the creek and securing the accident site. Following the incident, crews worked diligently to remove the submerged vehicle from the creek, while investigators combed through the scene for crucial evidence. Despite the somber circumstances, community members rallied together to restore order, with public works staff commencing repairs on damaged fencing near the creek and temporarily closing sections of the Creek Street boardwalk to ensure public safety.
The gravity of the situation prompted a press conference featuring Fire Chief Rick Hines and Police Chief Eric Mattson, shedding light on the heroic actions of those involved in the rescue mission. Mattson commended the bystanders who risked their own safety to extricate the driver from the vehicle, emphasizing the raw bravery exhibited in the face of adversity. Among these courageous individuals was a cruise ship passenger who leaped into the creek to lend a helping hand, underscoring the unwavering sense of solidarity and compassion within the community during times of crisis.
As the Ketchikan community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, the resilience and spirit of unity displayed by its residents and visitors alike serve as a poignant reminder of the unwavering human capacity for empathy and altruism in the face of adversity.