Children Rescued From Car In Merced River Bottom

A car left Highway 140 and ended up on the Merced River bottom just after noon on December 31st. The driver was reportedly attempting to pass several cars on a wet and sandy bend in the road when the accident occurred. The vehicle came to rest on rocks, with its tires in shallow water. A park roads employee who was traveling home reported the accident. Two adults in the vehicle were able to get out, but two children with serious injuries had to be removed by emergency responders. Firefighter Bernie Spielman put ICS into effect while Ruth Middlecamp provided initial medical care. Units were called in from Yosemite Valley and Mariposa County to provide EMS and traffic control, and three air ambulances were brought in. One child suffered head fractures and the other had a punctured lung.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating.

Let's see. "The driver was reportedly attempting to pass several cars on a wet and sandy bend in the road when the accident occurred."

Wet?
Sandy?
Bend?
Several cars?

That was not an accident. That was a totally stupid, foolhardy, irresponsible action. Even worse because of children in the car.

Thanks to all those rescue personnel who risked their lives for those children!

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Doug Parr