Rochester Hills

Car skids into the Clinton River

By Linda Shepard
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — A local man was treated for possible hyperthermia after his SUV skidded into the icy waters of the Clinton River at 7:01 a.m. Jan. 26.

According to Rochester Hills Fire Chief Ron Crowell, the SUV skidded off Hamlin Road, east of Crooks Road, and into the river. A motorist driving by, who witnessed the accident, called 911.

Fire officials arrived to find the SUV on its side in the river with a lone occupant trapped inside. Rescuers wearing special suits to protect them entered the freezing water.

“We had two rescuers in the water,” Crowell said. “They broke the back window of the car.” The SUV driver crawled to the back of the vehicle, and rescuers removed him from the SUV and the frigid water.

“It took about 30 minutes to get him out,” Crowell said.

The man was transported to Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, where he was treated for possible hyperthermia and released, Crowell said. No other injuries were reported.

Icy road conditions contributed to the accident, said Lt. Ray White of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Rochester Hills substation.

“It looks like he was going too fast for road conditions,” White said. No evidence of alcohol was found, White said.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Linda Shepard at lshepard@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1065.