Teen Dead, Child Rescued From Submerged Car In Jordan River

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A teen has died from injuries he sustained after a car crashed and landed upside down in the Jordan River.

Police said the vehicle had five occupants and it landed upside down in the Jordan Surplus Canal after the driver lost control and crashed near Indiana Avenue and Delong Street Saturday night.

The female driver and two children, ages 17 and 16, were able to escape the car. However, a 15-year-old and a 2-year-old remained trapped in the vehicle.

First responders helped rescue the children that were trapped, and police confirmed one of the two children died Monday.

Sadly, one of the children succumbed to their injuries. Our hearts go out to the family at this time 💙 and we mourn with you.

— SLC Police Dept. (@slcpd) August 10, 2020

Newly-released body camera footage showed first responders’ efforts to rescue the children from the submerged car.

Four officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department removed their vests and belts and jumped into the canal to try and save the children as the car slipped under the surface.

“With no thought to personal safety, officers immediately stripped their gear and attempted a daring rescue of these two children,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “It was dark. The water was cold. But these officers did not hesitate to come to the aid and work to save lives. I am proud of them and thankful to the bystanders who helped during this incident.”

WARNING: The following video has graphic language.

Several members of the Salt Lake City Fire Department arrived on scene and also jumped into the canal to assist in rescue efforts.

One firefighter was able to enter the car with a self-contained breathing apparatus and rescue the 2-year-old child.

“The rescue of these two children illustrates the dedication of Salt Lake City’s public safety employees. The immediate action of both SLCPD and SLCFD brought both children out of the water and to awaiting medical care,” said Chief Karl Lieb with the Salt Lake City Fire Department. “Anything less would not have given these kids even a chance of survival. This is what we do. And I am exceedingly proud of our team’s commitment to preserving life – even at great risk to our own.”

Both children that were trapped were transported to an area hospital. One of the children later died from injuries sustained in the crash.