Just in time: MN trooper saves woman from flooded car

Heavy rains and flooding are causing havoc across Minnesota, but with no reports of deaths so far. If it wasn't for a Minnesota State Patrol trooper and other rescuers Monday night, however, we might be mourning the flooding's first victim.

The patrol just relayed a story of the heroism of a trooper in southwest Minnesota who rescued a woman from a rapidly flooding car.

Here's the State Patrol's report:

Moments before rapidly rising flood waters in southwestern Minnesota swept away and flipped her vehicle, a woman was plucked from her car by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper.

The scared woman called 911 just after 9:15 p.m. Monday when water flooded Interstate 90 and quickly filled her car near the South Dakota border. Water was over the driver’s seat when the woman called for help.

Trooper Brian Beuning arrived and walked to the vehicle, which was up to its windows in water. The woman climbed out the rear passenger window and into Trooper Beuning’s arms. As they stood in the middle of the eastbound lanes of I-90, the vehicle was swept away down a ditch. It flipped over and continued floating away in the flood waters.

Strong currents prevented a DNR boat from rescuing the pair. Fire personnel set up on the west side of the flowing water and relayed firemen in water-rescue suits out to Trooper Beuning and driver. Firemen tied a rope around the soaked trooper and victim and helped them walk to safety.

Neither was injured.

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