Springfield, United States - March 06, 2025 Late last week, a daring Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend swooped in to pluck a 71-year-old woman from the treacherous McKenzie River. The drama unfolded east of Springfield when the car she was in plunged into the icy waters. Local police and fire departments stood helpless against the river’s swift current, unable to reach her safely. With no time to lose, the Coast Guard was scrambled to the scene. Their crack team deployed a rescue swimmer who battled the torrent to reach the stranded pensioner. In a breathtaking moment, they hoisted her to safety and whisked her away to Eugene Airport. There, she was handed over to EMS, shaken but alive. The operation was a triumph of teamwork, with Eugene Springfield Fire, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Transportation, McKenzie Fire and Rescue, Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District, and others all playing their part. Fantastic work by all involved turned a near-tragedy into a tale of survival against the odds.