According to authorities, the condition of the toddler found in the car crashed in the Utah River is stable. On Friday, March 6, 25-year-old Lynn Groesbeck from Springville drove into the bridge’s cement barrier, landing in the Utah River. The accident is believed to have taken place around 10:40 p.m.
Lynn’s 18-month-old daughter Lily Groesbeck was with her in the back seat. 14 hours passed until a fisherman noticed the car and went to inspect it. The vehicle landed under the bridge, making it hard to notice. He discovered the car on its top in the Spanish Fork River on Saturday March 7 at about 12:30 p.m. The mother had passed away but the baby was still alive, having survived all those hours in the freezing temperatures. She was found upside-down, in the car seat. The water filled the car but not up to her level.
The girl was taken to a hospital in Salt Lake City where she received appropriate treatment. According to a statement made by the police on Sunday March 8, she is now in a critical but stable condition. Lily’s aunt added that “the doctors have been hopeful so far.”
There are currently no clues regarding what caused the accident. The Utah Highway Patrol is helping with the investigations.
According to Lynn’s family, she left her parent’s house located in Salem at about 10 p.m. on Friday March 6. The crash took place during her drive back to her home near Provo. Lynn Groesbeck was a college attendee. She took courses at Provo College in order to become a medical assistant. She had lived in Provo all her life.
Her sister, Jill Sanderson described her as “a very compassionate and a very loving person”. She added that Lynn was “always willing to bend over backwards for her loved ones” and that she loved her daughter very much.
Due to the low temperatures recorded during the retrieval operation, 3 police officers and 4 firefighters who entered the river in an attempt to move the car and retrieve the baby had to be taken to hospital in order to receive treatment for their hypothermia.
Lily’s aunt thanked the Spanish Fork rescue team for their efforts and for saving the baby’s life. Police will make further announcements once the girl’s condition improves.
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