Leyden, NY — Authorities are crediting a Lewis County man with keeping a motorist from drowning after a pickup truck ran off a bridge and plunged into a river. Police say 52-year-old Brian Cook of Boonville was driving on a rural road in southern Lewis County Monday evening when his truck crashed through a guardrail and landed on its driver’s...
Leyden, NY — Authorities are crediting a Lewis County man with keeping a motorist from drowning after a pickup truck ran off a bridge and plunged into a river.
Police say 52-year-old Brian Cook of Boonville was driving on a rural road in southern Lewis County Monday evening when his truck crashed through a guardrail and landed on its driver’s side in the Sugar River in Leyden.
Cook was pinned inside the truck, which was partially submerged in about 2 feet of water.
Mark Mikesell, who lives nearby, says he heard the crash and arrived at the scene soon afterward. He says he held Cook’s head above water until emergency crews arrived.
A fire official says Cook would have drowned if not for Mikesell’s quick action.
Cook was listed in fair condition at a Syracuse hospital.