Woman and Toddler Escape Sinking Car After Vermont River Crash

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A 26-year-old woman and her 2-year-old son were able to safely escape from a sinking car that had crashed into the Ottauquechee River in Quechee, Vermont. The mother was able to unbuckle her son from his car seat, cut through the deployed airbag, and swim to shore with the toddler. Neither the woman nor her son sustained any serious injuries.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper car seat usage and quick thinking in emergency situations. The mother's actions likely saved her and her son's lives, and the story serves as a reminder of the dangers of driving near bodies of water.

The details

According to the Hartford Fire Department, crews were dispatched to the area of Quechee Main Street and Mill Run Condominiums at 12:45 p.m. on Monday after receiving a report of a car submerged in the Ottauquechee River. By the time an ambulance arrived at 12:49 p.m., the 26-year-old woman and her 2-year-old son were already safely on the bank of the river. The fire department said the toddler was in a car seat in the back seat when the crash occurred, and his mother was able to unbuckle him, cut through the deployed driver's side airbag, and escape through the window. She then swam to shore with her son.

• The crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2026.
• An ambulance arrived at the scene at 12:49 p.m. and found the mother and son safely on the riverbank.
• Rescue swimmers entered the river around 12:55 p.m. to confirm there were no other people in the submerged vehicle.

What’s next

The Hartford Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash, and the mother and son will be evaluated at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.