During last week's relentless heavy rain that impacted Kentucky Power's southeastern service area, two linemen sprang into action to rescue a woman trapped in her sinking vehicle. Their heroic efforts unfolded as Kentucky Power crews worked throughout the week to restore power to more than 20,000 customers affected by the days-long deluge.
Kentucky Power Heroes: Tyler Holbrook and Nick Castle.
Tyler Holbrook and Nick Castle, both members of Kentucky Power’s Paintsville crew, had just completed power restoration work in Morgan County and were en route to their next assignment that night, nearing the end of a grueling 16-hour shift on Saturday, April 5. As they exited a neighborhood, they spotted a small SUV partially submerged in a water-filled culvert. Castle was the first to notice the glow of a cell phone in the car illuminating the fact that the driver was still inside. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the two linemen immediately took action.
“When we reached the vehicle, we saw an elderly woman trapped inside. Apparently, she had unknowingly driven straight into the water, likely due to the darkness of the night,” Castle said. “The water had gotten up to her knee level and she seemed to be in shock. We knew we had to act quickly.”
Holbrook entered the frigid waters and immediately found himself submerged up to his neck, realizing the vehicle was floating. Understanding the critical nature of the situation, Castle grabbed a hand line rope from their vehicle and secured it to the SUV's bumper to prevent it from sinking further.
“Nick was swift on his feet when he thought about using that rope,” Holbrook said.
After some reassurance, they convinced the woman to crawl out through the back of the vehicle. It was a tense moment, as the water had risen over the dashboard by the time she stood up. Together, they assisted her out of the car and carried her to safety as they were unsure of her swimming abilities.
An image of the sinking vehicle just moments before it was fully submerged and seconds after the Kentucky Power linemen rescued the driver.
“If we had been minutes later, it would have been a completely different outcome,” Holbrook said.
“About 45 seconds after we got her out and removed the rope, the vehicle was fully submerged.”
Castle and Holbrook agreed that Kentucky Power’s culture of safety had equipped them with problem-solving skills that proved invaluable in a crisis. Their training and quick thinking helped save a woman from a life-threatening situation and also showcased the selflessness and bravery of lineworkers who work tirelessly to keep communities safe.
“This situation was a bit outside of the box, but your mind just goes to work to figure out what needs to be done as quickly as possible,” Holbrook said. “We’re just glad we were in the right place at the right time.”