Tukwila, Washington – Driver Taken to the Hospital After Car Crashes Into River

Tukwila, Washington (April 23, 2020) – A man was taken to the hospital after a vehicle crashed into the Duwamish River on Thursday evening. According to the article from KIRO 7 News, the driver of the vehicle was able to escape and make his way to the embankment. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries. He was reported to be in stable condition. According to the article, it was not yet clear if there was a passenger in the vehicle but as of last report no one else has been found in the area of the incident.

Crews went to the 12400 block of 42nd Avenue South just after 6:30 p.m. to do a shore-based dive. The search for a passenger was continued after dark and was continued on Friday morning. The cause and circumstances of the crash have not yet been reported.

About Car Accidents

While there appear to be few statistics and study related to injuries and/or fatalities involved with vehicle drowning, it is very clear that a car falling into water is a serious situation. When the car falls into water, the amount of water that comes inside the vehicle depends on the rate that the vehicle entered the water. When a car gently slips into water for example, water gets inside slower, but a more forceful crash can easily push the water inside the vehicle and displace the air within. This is because a car is not completely sealed in, and after being submerged it will only be matter of minutes until the vehicle’s interior is flooded. If the windows haven’t been broken by the impact, the water pressure outside the vehicle will make opening any doors or windows more difficult. In any case, the priority in this situation would be to get out as soon as possible, and it has been recommended that anyone trapped inside a submerged vehicle should try to open an exit.

While it pays to keep in mind the steps necessary to take in such a situation, the best way to handle an accident is to try and prevent it. Make sure to drive carefully on roads that are near bodies of water, and to be aware of other drivers on such roads. By following traffic regulations, we can easily help to avoid accidents that can result in injuries, loss or damage to us and the people around us.

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