Fatal Crash in Idaho County Leaves Two University of Idaho Students Dead

Two University of Idaho students are presumed to be dead after a fatal crash on Tuesday. The two women were traveling towards Moscow, Idaho when their car went off Highway 95 into the Salmon River. The crash happened around 7pm near milepost 211, and so far the Idaho Counties Sheriff’s deputies have not been able to recover the vehicle or bodies of the two women, who are presumed to have drowned in the river. Recovery efforts continue. No details have been released about the cause of the crash.

In case you find yourself in a vehicle submerged in water following an accident, here are some safety tips to remember. Following the 2013 collapse of the 1-5 bridge in Mount Vernon, Washington, Popular Mechanics released a comprehensive guide for how to handle a crash where your vehicle ends up submerged. According the National Highway and Transportation Administration, around 400 people in the United States die every year from drowning in their vehicle. In order to increase your odds of getting out alive in a submerge accident, it’s important to have a safety plan in place.

First of all, don’t call 9-1-1 until you have safely removed yourself from the vehicle. You need every second to get out alive, and worry about making that call after you have escaped from the vehicle. Second, unbuckle. Third, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. Instead, roll the windows down or break the window if the electronically controlled windows are not functioning. It makes sense to keep a LIfeHammer or hardened point keychain with you. You can pick these up for around $10 to $15 and keep them in your car in case of emergencies. The water pressure against the door will make it very difficult to open, and breaking the windows will help increase your escape time. As soon as your vehicle hits the water, you have 30 seconds to a minute of “floating period” before the water rises to the bottom of the passenger windows, after that time, water pressure will make it virtually impossible to roll the windows down.

After you have broken or rolled windows down, get children out first. Little kids are going to have a harder time fighting through the rush of water, so push them out if you have to. Start with the oldest kids and take the youngest out in your arms. Then get out as fast as you possibly can and swim towards the surface.

If you miss the window of time for breaking or rolling down windows, there is still a slight chance of survival. Once water fills the car, the pressure will be equalized and you will be able to open the door. However, this requires you to hold your breath during a high stress situation. The best option is to be prepared with a glass-breaking device within easy reach in your car and the mental foresight to move quickly. Remember, a little bit of preparation goes a long way.