This woman had two small children in her SUV and had to leave. She said she could be reached through the next gas station up the road. I later contacted the nearby gas stations, but never was able to find her.

Photos by C. Anstett, Seattle, didianstet@aol.com

2011 update: I just found on YouTube this video of the same rescue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kV2Ssg093I

And a Coast Guard press release from 2007

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I was driving north on US 199, just north of Crescent City, California, when I thought I saw a man on a rock in a middle of the river. When I pulled over, this woman and others had begun organizing efforts to save a man on an overturned vehicle in the river. It was about 3:10 p.m. They had called 911.

This man was evidently the sole occupant of the vehicle. I understand that one witness saw him go off the road as he headed south on 199.

This is the Smith River along the "Redwood Highway" just south of the town of Gasquet, California.

The woman asked if I had any rope in my car and people began to start rescue attempts.

A California highway patrolman and a California Parks and Recreation rep (Tyson Young) were on the scene.

This woman had two small children in her SUV and had to leave. She said she could be reached through the next gas station up the road. I later contacted the nearby gas stations, but never was able to find her.

This woman had two small children in her SUV and had to leave. She said she could be reached through the next gas station up the road. I later contacted the nearby gas stations, but never was able to find her.