| Brushy
Creek 11/15/02
Sharon Zambrzycki was washed away from her car into a violently
flooded creek in the dark. She careened 300 yards downstream then
hung on to a tree in strong currenty for more than an hour. Even
after her complicated rescue began, she was in grave danger with
a large branch forcing her head under water. By the time she was
rescued she had only a few moments to live. Two other motorists
perished in the incident.
Details:
Sharon was driving home from work on
the night of November, 15th. It was dark and raining hard –
visibility was poor. She was just a few miles from her house when
she slowed because the water seemed to be deepening. A car coming
in the other direction also slowed and then stopped. Sharon stopped
as well because she could see the water piling up on the other
car. The person in that car appeared to have stalled their engine.
Sharon immediately used her cell phone to call 911 and report
the situation. A woman got out of the stalled car and walked through
the rising water to Sharon’s car and got in. Another car
had pulled up behind Sharon so sould not back up. In a short period
of time, the water was so high Sharon’s car began to float.
The two women got out on the downstream side of the car hoping
to get back to safety but were soon washed away – down the
creek – in the dark. The remaining motorist, Chau Do, 27,
later climbed atop the running board of his car but was eventually
washed downstream as well.
The following day, divers found the body
of 59-year-old Jo Lee Jessee about 600 yards downstream. The body
of Chau Do was found 6 1/2 miles downstream. Sharon was rescued
after more than an hour in the water. |
