"Save Me"... Police Rescue Truck Driver in His 70s from Reservoir Using Only Clues

Received a report but couldn't pinpoint the exact location
A thorough search led police to the driver in his 70s

Police dramatically rescued a truck driver in his 70s after his vehicle plunged into a reservoir. Although they had not received precise information about the driver’s location, officers followed clues and eventually found his truck.

According to Yonhap News Agency on October 27, the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency said it received a report at around 9 a.m. on September 13 in Daema-ri, Cheorwon-eup, Cheorwon County, saying, “Please save me. I fell into the water with my car.”

Police check on the driver atop a truck that fell into a reservoir. Gangwon Provincial Police Agency

The caller was a driver in his 70s identified only by the surname A. He urgently asked for help, saying, “The water is rising inside the car.” However, he could not clearly explain his location and only said he was “in the direction of Baengmagoji.” Officers from the Cheorwon Police Station had to infer the caller’s location from that clue alone.

Police first dispatched three patrol cars to the scene. After searching the Daema-ri area thoroughly, officers found a Porter truck lying on its side in a reservoir beside the road.

A truck that fell into a reservoir. Gangwon Provincial Police Agency

Constable Yoon Jinwon used an emergency hammer from the patrol car to break the passenger-side window. Wearing a life jacket, he entered the vehicle and checked on A’s condition. A was trembling slightly when found but had not sustained serious injuries.

119 rescue workers who arrived at the scene shortly afterward safely rescued A from the truck.

Recalling the incident, Constable Yoon said, “When I arrived at the scene, I couldn’t hear anything, so I thought there had been serious casualties. I was relieved to find that the driver was not injured after I broke the window.” He added, “I will continue to respond quickly wherever help is needed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.