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Woman rescued from car on flooded road

Photos: Road floods, traps woman

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A woman, who has not been identified, tried to cross a flooded part of Waynseville Road just past the Corwin Nixon Covered Bridge around 10:45 a.m. when her car starting filling with water and floated down the street.

Justin McClelland A woman, who has not been identified, tried to cross a flooded part of Waynseville Road just past the Corwin Nixon Covered Bridge around 10:45 a.m. when her car starting filling with water and floated down the street.

By Justin McClelland and Rich Gillette
Staff Writers Updated 7:05 PM Wednesday, April 20, 2011

WAYNESVILLE — Stuck with no way to escape, Ellen Poston sat in her car Tuesday waiting for rescue crews as frigid water from the Little Miami River filled her vehicle.

Rain from the past two days had forced the river from its banks and water rushed across Waynesville Road. The water was at her ankles when Poston called an emergency dispatcher on her cell phone and exclaimed, “Hello, I’m floating down the river in my car.”

As the rushing water reached above her waist minutes later, the frightened 75-year-old Xenia woman asked the dispatcher, “Can I call my children?”

The dispatcher lost connection with the woman after the water reached Poston’s shoulder level. And just before rescue workers were able to get a boat to her car, the water was above her shoulder.

“Thank you,” Poston told the rescue workers.

Poston had been driving to a home to clean in the area when she turned off U.S. 42, just south of Waynesville. She did not notice high water signs posted on the road before she crossed the Corwin Nixon Covered Bridge and drove her car into the high water around 10:37 a.m.

Her car floated down the road just after she hit the water. Luckily for Poston, her car came to rest against a road sign. If not for the sign, her car could have reached the Little Miami River, rescue officials said

Poston told the dispatcher she did not get out of her car because she had a knee brace on her leg and she could not walk well. She also couldn’t open her electric windows because her car lost power.

Because of high water on other roads and not immediately knowing where she was located, Poston sat in her car for more than 20 minutes before rescue crews arrived.

Poston did not have serious injuries, but was transported to the hospital, according to Wayne Twp. fire chief Paul Scherer. Miami Valley Hospital officials said Poston was treated and released.

“It’s the first time we’ve had to do a water rescue in at least three years,” Scherer said.

During her entire conversation with dispatch, Poston remained calm and did not turn hysterical. At one point she asked the dispatcher, “Do you think they’ll pull my car out of this?”

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