By Heather Michon, correspondent
Lake Monticello Main Beach was the site of a serious accident this morning (July 6) when a Lake resident became confused and drove at considerable speed from the Ashland clubhouse parking lot, through the fences around the pool, down onto the beach and into the water.
Lifeguards and residents quickly extracted the resident from the submerged vehicle and the individual was transported to the hospital for further treatment.
” This could have been a very horrible morning,” said Lake Monticello Communications Director Marieke Henry. “There were about 10 people on the beach at the time of the incident, and the driver narrowly avoided hitting a maintenance worker and a small child who was lying on the beach. The main beach is closed until further notice as officials clean up the site and assess any environmental impact from the vehicle entering the water.”
“The vehicle fluid spill was minimal. Only Beach 1 will be closed until 11 a.m. tomorrow. All other beaches are open for swimming. We are working on clearing the pool deck and may open the pool this afternoon.,” said Henry.
“LMOA is very grateful that no one appears to have been hit by the driver who lost control this morning,” she added. “It is possible that the driver mistook the accelerator for the brake though we do not know for sure.”
Hendry added that, “the driver was pulled alive and responsive from the vehicle just as it sank beneath the water’s surface. We cannot express enough how proud we are of the individuals who assisted with the rescue: lifeguards Paige Tomaras, Zach Butler, and Savannah Peterson; maintenance staff Josh Huntington and Travis Perry; residents Mark Post and Kerri Lambert and anyone else. Of course, we are thankful for the staff who immediately called 911 and the quick response of emergency teams. With individuals already swimming in the pool and at Beach 1 as well as staff working in the path of the car, we are very fortunate loss of life was avoided.”
