West Chester fire lieutenant saves elderly man who crashed into pond

CINCINNATI (WXIX) -A fire lieutenant rescued an elderly man from a sinking vehicle after a single-car accident sent the car into a pond near Muhlhauser Barn Thursday evening, said Briana Wooten with West Chester Township.

Lt. Tim Ludwig, an 18-year veteran with the fire department, donned an ice rescue suit and jumped into the water to perform an emergency extraction, Wooten said. The victim, an elderly male with mobility issues, was unable to exit the vehicle before fire crews arrived.

The call came in at 8:37 p.m. Fire Station 74 crews were on scene within seconds because the station sits directly across the street from the accident location.

“With the vehicle quickly sinking, he performed an emergency extrication, pulling the elderly victim to safety,” Wooten said.

The extent of his