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Car Upside Down in Creek Leads to Heroic Rescue

391 views · Published 26 March 2013 · 2:11 · Indexed 25 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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by John Madewell  A local Athens police officer made a dramatic rescue early this morning.Sergeant Tony Byers responded to a car on its top, submerged in Oostanaula Creek. Two people were trapped inside.A wreck near the intersection of South White Street near South Jackson street. The impact of the crash sent Amy Young's 1996 Saturn SLE spinning and then rolling backwards.Greg Rose was in the car with Young as it made its way down the steep enbankment and flipped upside down into the very frigid waters of Oostanaula Creek.Sergeant Byers was one of the first on the scened. His boss, Chief Charles Ziegler, described what happened next. He was able to talk to the person (Rose) and get him calmed down. He was able to extend his leg and Tony got a hold of his leg and literally pulled him in reverse out of the window and into the top of the water, Ziegler said.Next, Byers went back in, this time with the help of firefighters, and pulled the driver out. Paramedics provided initial treatment to the driver, passenger and the heroic officer to offset any chance of hypothermia.Tonight, the officer's at home, fine but exhausted.His department couldn't be prouder.Chief Ziegler said, Another part of it is being at the right place at the right time with the desire and willingness to do what it takes.And this is not Sgt. Byers first heroic act. Several years ago, he performed CPR on a man and saved his life.    Athens City Council gave him an award for that and the chief expects another one is coming.

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