Photos provided by Calfire.

On December 12th, at 5:22 AM, the California Highway Patrol Yreka Communications Center (CHP Dispatch) received a 9-1-1 call regarding a vehicle upside down in the Klamath River. The red 2018 Ford Fusion was located in the Klamath River on State Route 96, west of State Route 263, on its roof, almost fully submerged, and the four-way emergency flashers were on.

Yreka California Highway Patrol Officers, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Dive and Recovery Team/ Swift Water Rescue, CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit, Yreka City Fire Department, Caltrans District 2, Mt. Shasta Ambulance, and Bruce’s Towing, responded to the area to assist. “The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Dive Team Commander, Sergeant Giannini, was extremely instrumental in this rescue.” said CHP Officer Shadwell, regarding this crash. When the tow truck arrived on scene, the Dive Commander went into action hooking up the vehicle to recover it from the Klamath River. When the vehicle was removed from the water, Michael Finn 28 years old from Klamath River, was located still alive in the vehicle. Cal Fire and Mt. Shasta ambulance personnel immediately began providing medical aid. Mr. Finn was transported by ambulance to Fairchild Medical Center to be treated for exposure.

Mr. Finn told officers he may have crashed into the water around 3:00 AM this morning, he was pulled from the vehicle at approximately 7:55 AM, and he endured nearly five hours breathing from a pocket of air inside his vehicle.

The Yreka CHP would like to remind everyone to slow down during hours of darkness and when roads may be icy.