801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
318/ 673-6655 ● FAX: 318/ 673-6656 ● www.shreveportfire.org

Kelvin J. Cochran, Fire Chief

September 1, 2002

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Public Information Officer
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2609, page: 675-2137

Woman in Serious Condition after Couple Drives Off Into Water at Retirement Village

81 year-old female resident credited with saving passenger after hoping a fence, shedding clothing, and diving in . . .

An elderly couple drove their car into a large pond at the Glen Retirement Village, 403 East Flournoy Lucas, this afternoon sending both to the hospital, one in serious condition. Shreveport firefighters were called to the elderly housing complex at 4:36 p.m. and found the lone vehicle submerged with only its trunk visible. Also in the water was 81-year-old Carolyn Kelly, a resident of the Village who jumped a fence, shed her clothing, and dove into the pond after witnessing the accident. To the firefighters astonishment, Kelly was holding the female passenger, Nina Hutchinson, 83, above water after rescuing her from the sinking vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, Harlen Hutchinson, 90, reportedly thought he was stepping on the brake of his full-sized sedan, we he actually pressed on the accelerator. The misstep launched the vehicle over a median, through a fence and nose first into the middle of the pond. Firefighters, Captain Marty Moss and John King, dove into the water to retrieve Nina Hutchinson and assist Kelly out of the pond. At the time, it was not clear whether or not anyone else was in the vehicle, so Moss and King dove under to inspect the submerged car. Luckily, no other occupants were in the vehicle. Harlen Hutchinson had made his way to the shore unassisted. Nina Hutchinson was treated by Fire Department paramedics and transported to Louisiana State University Shreveport Health Science Center (LSUSHSC) where she is listed in serious condition. Harlen Hutchinson was also transported to LSUSHSC Center in good condition.

The Hutchinsons were both residents of the Retirement Village and were in a back parking lot of the Southeast Shreveport property when the accident occurred. Fire officials are crediting Kelly with saving Nina Hutchinson’s life. Without the quick thinking and unselfish act of Ms. Kelly, the fire department may have not had the opportunity to save Ms. Hutchinson that they were afforded. Officials said her actions were to be commended. Fire divers were called in after the incident to assist with retrieving the vehicle from the pond, which was three feet deep on its edge but 10 to 12 feet deep in the middle. ###