KCSO: Bystander helps rescue woman who drove into Hayden Lake

HAYDEN, Idaho. — Emergency responders pulled a woman to safety on Tuesday after they say she drove her car into Hayden Lake. 

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said deputies, along with Northern Lakes Fire, responded to a call from a passerby who watched as 64-year-old Joyce Green’s car sunk into the water near the Honeysuckle Boat Launch. 

The caller swam to the car and tried to open the door or break a window, but couldn’t get in and had to return to shore because of the water’s freezing temperatures. 

Once deputies arrived, they were able to lasso Green’s car by the bumper and pull it up to the dock. From there, deputies punched out the rear window and pulled Green to safety from an air pocket in the back of the car. 

Dive team members searched the area for any other passengers, but found no one. They are still investigating the cause of the crash.  

Green was taken to Kootenai Health to be treated for potential hypothermia.