79-year-old woman rescued from submerged vehicle in Juneau County

Monroe County deputy pulled woman from SUV

JUNEAU COUNTY, Wis. (WKBT) — A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy rescued a 79-year-old woman from a submerged vehicle just south of Highway 21 on 2nd Avenue in Juneau County Monday morning.

Juneau County requested assistance from Monroe County emergency responders to help with a report of a vehicle off the road and partially in the water not far from the Monroe County line at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

When Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy David Sundvall arrived on scene, he saw a partially submerged Chevrolet Equinox had driven off the road and into the water. Deputy Sundvall entered the water and began talking to the driver 79-year-old Arvilla B. Novy of New Lisbon. She was extremely frightened and told Deputy Sundvall that she was wet and very cold.

The Sheriff’s Office said Sundvall assured Novy that the tow truck would have her out shortly. As the tow crew approached the SUV to hook it up, Novy’s vehicle slipped forward and completely submerged with Novy still trapped inside.

Deputy Sundvall dove into the water and attempted to open the door but the handle broke off. After two diving attempts, Deputy Sundvall was able to release Novy’s seatbelt and pulled her through the driver’s side window and to the surface. The Sheriff’s Office said when Novy was brought to the surface she was coughing up water but was able to resume normal breathing. She was wrapped in blankets and transported to the hospital.

Town of Lincoln firefighters, Oakdale First Responders and Shaw’s Towing assisted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo: Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy Sundvall