UTAH

Right place, right time: Tooele police describe frantic water rescue

Jun 7, 2023, 1:00 PM | Updated: 2:01 pm

Members of the Tooele Police Department are talking about a water rescue they conducted because the...

Police shot out a window and pulled an unconscious 12-year-old girl out of a submerged car in Settlement Canyon Reservoir Saturday afternoon. (Derek Petersen, KSL TV)

(Derek Petersen, KSL TV)

TOOELE, Utah — Members of the Tooele Police Department are talking about a water rescue they were able to conduct at Settlement Canyon Reservoir, simply because they were in the right place at the right time.

It was a 12-year-old girl that benefited from the incredible timing.

Tooele Police were checking water levels at Settlement Canyon Reservoir

Corporal Colbey Bentley with the Tooele Police Department said some of their officers were checking the water level at Settlement Canyon Reservoir on Saturday when bystanders told them that a van had accidentally entered the water, and sunk below the surface.

Settlement Canyon Reservoir in Tooele County, pictured on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

“As soon as the vehicle goes down, which is completely submerged at this point, our officers are able to jump into the water and are able to start searching for the vehicle,” Bentley told KSL NewsRadio’s Dave and Dujanovic.

They found the van but were faced with the near impossibility of opening a car door when it is submerged in water. 

“They are able to get down there they’re trying to break windows open. They’re trying to open doors. But as many people know when we have a submerged vehicle, it’s hard to break a window, it’s hard to open a door it just doesn’t happen,” he said.

Shooting into the murky water of Settlement Canyon Reservoir

Part of a police officer’s training, Bentley said, is to think out of the box when they have to. A 12-year-old girl was stuck in a vehicle full of water. So they fired their service weapon into the window.

“And an officer swimming around feels an arm and is able to pull the 12-year-old girl out,” Bentley said.

The child was unconscious. She wasn’t breathing. 

She was pulled to the shore where medical services had arrived. Police said she was taken to one hospital, and then another, and that she ended up being in good condition.

The van was eventually pulled from the water. Bentley said it had been submerged in about 11 feet of murky water. 

Other reading:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

3 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

6 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

6 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

9 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

10 hours ago

Four cats relaxing on chairs and a cat tree at Fawn's Family Rescue...

Heather Peterson

Fawn’s Family Rescue provides lounge to relax with adoptable cats

Fawn's Family Rescue recently opened its doors in Bountiful. The new cat lounge provides a comfortable way for people to hang out with feline friends.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Right place, right time: Tooele police describe frantic water rescue