Watch: Canadian woman takes selfie standing atop car as it sinks into icy river
The bizarre incident took place on 16 January in Ottawa’s Manotick when the woman crashed her car in the frozen Rideau River
While locals in the area hurried to rescue her, the unfazed woman stood calmly on top of her fast-sinking car. Image credit: Twitter/@MammaMitch
A Canadian woman has made international headlines after she took a smiling selfie standing atop her car which was sinking into frigid water.
The bizarre incident took place on 16 January in Ottawa’s Manotick when the woman crashed her car in the frozen Rideau River. The yellow sedan eventually broke through the ice and started sinking into icy water, forcing the woman to stand on top of her car. Instead of trying to save herself, the woman took a selfie.
In a video, residents along the banks of the Rideau River can be seen with their kayaks and ropes hurrying to rescue the woman. She, however, stood calm on top of her fast-sinking car.
Watch the video here:
Listener video of a water rescue on the Rideau River in Manotick #ottnews #TheMorningRush @billcarrolltalk pic.twitter.com/81CdtxFSYX
— 580 CFRA (@CFRAOttawa) January 17, 2022
The woman is facing severe criticism for taking selfie during a life-threatening moment. A Twitter user wrote that the woman captured the moment while residents hurried to rescue her.
She captured the moment with a selfie while people hurried and worried to help her. ♀️ pic.twitter.com/ML6zWlSa9m
— Lynda Douglas (@MammaMitch) January 17, 2022
Another Twitter user sarcastically wrote that ‘insurance will love this one’.
A user shared a funny meme saying that even the police were confused on what to charge the woman with.
Another user said that this might be the wildest thing he has seen on Twitter.
This may be the wildest thing I’ve seen on this app
— Lisa Haldane (@dovergirl95) January 17, 2022
A social media user termed the incident as ‘classic’.
Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police department praised the rescuers for their prompt action which saved life the driver.
This evening a car went through the ice in the south end of Ottawa. Thankfully no injuries and an amazing job by local residents saving the driver by using a kayak and quick safe thinking. Another reminder that “No Ice Is Safe Ice”. Please use extreme caution this winter season! pic.twitter.com/zpWdeyYzps
— MDT Ottawa Police (@MDTOttawaPolice) January 16, 2022
As per Canadian newspaper National Post, the woman was rescued safely and did not suffer any injury. She also refused to be examined by the paramedics’ team.
The Ottawa Police charged the woman with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Police also urged residents to stay off the river as the ice condition is unpredictable.
