WATCH ABOVE: A Utah toddler was rescued after being trapped for 14 hours upside down in a car in the Spanish Fork River, and the whole thing was caught on a police officer’s body camera.
Utah police have released a body camera video showing the frantic moments a little girl was pulled from a car wreck that killed her mother.
Eighteen-month-old Lily Groesbeck was found strapped into her car seat in the overturned vehicle. It’s believed she survived for roughly 14 hours, her mother’s body in the driver’s seat. The car had landed in the Spanish Fork River under a bridge, after the car left the road the evening of Mar. 6.
The wreckage was discovered by a fisherman the next morning.
The video shows rescuers surrounding the vehicle and pushing it onto its side, the river rushing by. Officials observe no signs of life from the 25-year-old mother, Jennifer Groesbeck. You then hear someone yelling out as they spot the girl.
“There’s a baby!”
The rescuers move into action to get her out of the vehicle and into an ambulance.
“She’s definitely hypothermic… She’s breathing,” says the officer wearing the body camera, as he carries Lily up the embankment. Rescuers search for a pulse as the ambulance rushes Lily to the hospital.
“Come on, sweetie,” the officer encourages the girl.
Lily was initially taken to hospital in critical condition, but quickly showed signs of improvement and was released a few days later.
Officials say three police officers and four firefighters were treated for hypothermia after the rescue efforts in the frigid river.
A gofundme.com page set up for the family has so far collected about $75,000. The page says the money will help cover funeral expenses for the mother and for the girl’s medical care. The page pays tribute to those who helped rescue Lily that day.
“We would like to thank the first responders, medical personnel, policemen and firefighters who risked their own lives to save this sweet baby.”
An update on the fundraising web page says the girl is now in the care of family members.
“We are overwhelmed by the love and kindness that has been shown from all over the world. We are just now beginning to grieve for Jenny and that will be a long and difficult journey for everyone who knew her. Thank you for all of your kind and uplifting words. It is appreciated more than you could ever know.”
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