NORTON, Ohio — The quick actions of a responding Norton police officer and firefighters helped save the life of a woman whose car crashed into Wolf Creek last month.
It happened on Dec. 29 around 8 p.m. in the 3300 block of Summit Road.
According to police, a witness called 911 and said a vehicle went off the road and into the water. The driver, 75-year-old Diane Kee, was trapped inside and yelling for help. Kee was also able to call 911 from her partially submerged SUV.
Kee said it was rainy and windy when she lost control of her Ford Edge and went into the creek.
"I'm thinking, well, I'm in the water and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna drown," Kee told News 5. "I never thought in my wildest dreams I'd be going through a situation like I did that Sunday night. I love to drive. I'm a very good driver."
Norton Police Sergeant Sean Conner was the first officer to arrive at the scene. The department said he immediately went into the water to help the driver. A short time later, another officer, Mike Guarnieri, arrived. Together, they worked to free the trapped woman.
While working to help Kee, the current pushed the officers against a tree. They managed to keep the woman safe from the rapidly moving water, but they were unable to get out of the creek on their own.
"Once we got her out, we thought we were gonna be okay, and then halfway across, it got pretty deep and the current was pretty strong," Conner said.
Norton firefighter Shane Smith and a third police officer, Michael Manos, arrived and helped everyone out of the water. Firefighters both in the water and along the embankment used ropes to rescue Kee and the officers.
"Basically, I just bladed around myself, got to them, basically just gave them a big hug and then told them: I'm just gonna tie it around all three and we're gonna drag you out," Smith said.
Kee was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General to be treated for hypothermia. She has recovered and is grateful to her heroes.
"I experienced such competent, supportive, wonderful people that helped me through the scariest night of my life," Kee said.
Police said an investigation into the crash indicated that the woman's vehicle was swept into the current after it left the road. The current carried the vehicle 30 to 50 yards downstream, where it stopped against a tree after going under a bridge.
Norton Fire Lt. Adam Papp, who coordinated the rescue, said the teamwork to save a life was remarkable.
"We are blessed that it turned out the way that it did. We have an excellent staff— great members of the community," Papp said.
"This incident underscores the bravery and dedication of Norton’s first responders. Sergeant Conner, Officer Guarnieri, Officer Manos, and Firefighter Smith demonstrated extraordinary courage and professionalism, risking their own safety to save another life. Their actions highlight the commitment of first responders to serve and protect their community, even in the most dangerous circumstances. I am proud of their efforts and grateful for their service to the citizens," the department said in a Facebook post.
