Newly released bodycam footage reveals the intense moments when Utah police officers rescued a 12-year-old girl trapped inside a submerged van in Settlement Canyon Reservoir, near Salt Lake City. The incident, which occurred in early June, unfolded quickly as officers responded to a frantic scene on the reservoir's banks.
The video captures the urgency of the situation, with officers immediately preparing to enter the water, shedding their boots and rushing to the submerged vehicle. Distressed onlookers pleaded with the officers to save the trapped child. Facing difficulty accessing the van, officers made the critical decision to shoot out a window. The breakthrough moment arrived with the cry, "We got an arm!" followed shortly by, "We got her out of the car, we are starting CPR."
According to local news reports, the girl is thankfully recovering well. Investigators believe the van accidentally rolled into the reservoir. The two officers involved were reportedly checking water levels in the area when witnesses alerted them to the unfolding emergency. A certified lifeguard, Rebecca Sweat, also played a crucial role in the rescue. Sweat described the situation as "life-or-death" and credited her training for helping save the girl. She recounted yelling for the girl to be brought to her, then administering rescue breaths before another officer began CPR.
Captain Colbey Bentley, speaking to ABC4, confirmed the officers' presence at the reservoir and the timely intervention of bystanders. Footage aired by Fox13 showed the van being retrieved from the reservoir, marking the conclusion of this dramatic rescue.
