Rescue workers on the Green River Monday, Aug. 5 worked for about an hour to pull a man from his SUV that had flipped over an embankment toward the water.

Norman Goodwin, 64, of Green River Cove in Saluda had driven down his driveway to check the mail when he lost control of the vehicle.

Nick Edwards was the officer in charge for the Saluda Fire Department, which responded to the scene around 1:30 p.m.

“The vehicle was upside down, laying up against a tree on the edge of the river with the engine part of the vehicle in the water,” Edwards said.

Polk County EMS Director Michael Crater said a tree was the only thing between Goodwin’s car and the water.

“His vehicle ended up in the water with a tree holding it in place,” Crater said. “He had some significant injuries and was airlifted to Mission Hospital, but he was talking.”

Edwards said the extrication wasn’t a challenge but the way the vehicle was positioned certainly made things awkward.

“Everything we did to get him out required us to reach above our heads and get on ladders to get to him,” he explained.

Because of the position of the vehicle, rescue workers had to get in the water and under the vehicle to cut Goodwin out with the jaws of life, Edwards said.

Goodwin is expected to recover but may face charges, according to reports from the NC Highway Patrol.
Also responding to the incident were the Polk Rescue Squad, Mill Spring Fire Department and Henderson County Rescue.