SUV in the river - language gap to blame

[cobb]

Pioneer Press site says all four door were locked.

Of course, they were trying to keep the water out.

Or maybe the water shorted the electrical and the power locks no longer worked,,,,,,,,,and they didn't think of unlocking it manually.

[lenny7]

I've heard the two that are still alive will most likely have permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

[Fubar]

Be prepared.

That is the point. Maybe I should have said "culture gap". It's like those dingbats who go into the mountains and get lost and call for help on their cell phones and have no idea where they are.

I think you might be surprised how many people, born and raised here, call 911 who have no idea where they are (or just as often think they know where they are when they in fact don't).

[Srigs]

Here is a good example. Learn the language or die.

Just so everyone is on the same page. These are H1B visa folks from India here to work, they know the kings english, they phase their sentences differently, they are in a sinking car and can't swim so a little stressful. You may ask, "How do you know!" Because they work at my company and have been in the country working for less than 3 months.

So, language gap... more likely culture gap and not knowing the area...yes. The real problem is they did not understand that you must get out of a car before it sinks or you can't get the doors open. If you can't get the doors open you have to go through the windows and yes electric windows will work still on many cars. If they don't work, you need to break out the window. Two are alive because of the cold water and the very good work the Stillwater PD and Fire did.

[Srigs]

I've heard the two that are still alive will most likely have permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.

One is on a respirator and the other one is awake and talking. So maybe on the first woman but no on the second woman (she was was still breathing in an air pocket in the SUV). It is amazing that any survived and cold water is very helpful in making it possible.

[cobb]

OK, so why did they drive the SUV into the river???

[Srigs]

OK, so why did they drive the SUV into the river???

We won't be able to ask the driver because he is dead... I would think he made a wrong turn.

[DeanC]

Apparently they actually backed in somehow.

[1911fan]

if we changed the scenario to an american GI and his family in germany running off the road because they misread a german traffic sign, everyone would have a different attitude. People who were born here make mistakes and die in road and flooding accidents all the time, blaming them does not change the fact that a couple of people died in an ACCIDENT.

[DeanC]

There is something rather pathetic about four apparently able-bodied adults who can't swim.

[selurcspi]

if we changed the scenario to an american GI and his family in germany running off the road because they misread a german traffic sign, everyone would have a different attitude. People who were born here make mistakes and die in road and flooding accidents all the time, blaming them does not change the fact that a couple of people died in an ACCIDENT.

Actually, no, you have to pass the 100 traffic signs test to get your USAREUR license in Germany; passing grade 90%

[Fast351]

There is something rather pathetic about four apparently able-bodied adults who can't swim.

There is a HUGE difference between swimming in 60 degree water and swimming in 35 degree water. I used to be certified in Advanced Lifesaving through the Red Cross and one of the things we had to do was a cold water rescue. Let me tell you, even as a VERY experienced swimmer it's tougher than hell. Your entire body starts to burn almost immediately after making contact with the cold water, and you have about 30 seconds before your muscles refuse to do what your brain is telling them to do.

I bet 6 out of 10 Minnesotans who know how to swim would have fared the same as the 4 HB1 visa holders. Unless you've been in water that cold it's hard to imagine how difficult it actually is to swim in it.

[DeanC]

There is something rather pathetic about four apparently able-bodied adults who can't won't even attempt to swim.

There, I fixed it.

[Srigs]

There is something rather pathetic about four apparently able-bodied adults who can't won't even attempt to swim.

There, I fixed it.

From my discussions with Indians, it is not all that common for them to learn to swim. We have pools in many schools here and they generally don't. So it does not surprise me (sad but true).

[1911fan]

In many places in the india, between things that will eat you, like marsh crocs or its bigger cousin the saltwater croc, and the things that will kill you, the pollution and sewage, most of the bodies of water large enough to swim in are places you do not want to go.