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SUNNY Temp: 67 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, June 18, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 31, 2003 Medford resident Steve Wagner's 2002 Kia Sportage is hoisted out of the Rogue River at Savage Rapids Dam on Friday. The unoccupied car accidentally rolled down a hill and into the water. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Reeled in A Medford man tackles more than he planned for when he stops to see fish at Savage Rapids Dam By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — A case of fishing fever on a blissful spring morning landed Medford resident Steve Wagner in the middle of a rescue drama when his car took an unexpected bath in the Rogue River at Savage Rapids Dam. The call came into Rogue River Rural Fire District at about 7:50 a.m. Friday: A car was quickly sinking in the dam with passengers inside. Chief Greg Winfrey was first on scene to find Wagner looking dejected with a few scrapes and bruises, but otherwise fine. In fact, Wagner was not even wet. Wagner, 47, quickly told rescue personnel there were no passengers in the 2002 Kia Sportage — just his wallet, cell phone, digital camera and salmon and trout tackle. "I had about 10 minutes to spare before I had to be at work and thought I’d stop and watch the fish," said Wagner. "I got out of the car and then next thing I knew, it was rolling downhill." Advertisement Wagner said he tried to stop the car. First he got in front of it, but the steep slope and the slippery gravel had him heading downhill along with the vehicle. Diving into the car, he was unable to apply the brake as momentum carried him along, hanging half in and half out of the car, until he finally let go. "I rolled onto the hill and then started yelling, ‘Heads up! Car coming!’ to the people down below," said Wagner. Luckily for those downhill from the driverless Kia, the car careened into a tree which diverted its path away from anglers — as well as a power pole and dam tower — straight into the drink. Within seconds, the sport utility vehicle was sinking into about 20 feet of water on the lake side of the dam wall. Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Randall Hoxsie called in the Jackson County Dive Team to begin a search and notified the Department of Environmental Quality that there was a vehicle in the river. "This is a first for me," said Hoxsie. "I imagine his tow bill will choke a horse." Dive Team member Jeff Lemke, of Jackson County Search and Rescue, said it is his third river retrieval in the past year. Lemke spoke about the dangers of currents, cables and shifting cars as he and his partner donned their wet suits. A rescue boat was positioned between the two divers and the dam’s spillway as they swam out in the cold water to hook the tow truck’s cables to the car. "This can be really dangerous, but that’s why they spend the money on training us so well so we can do this," he said. "Besides, it’s a nice day for a dive." A few tries, some quick cable repositioning and eventually the dark blue Kia came to the surface with all of Wagner’s fishing tackle bobbing inside.Its passenger windows were broken and it was covered in dents and scratches, but its lights were still on and the horn was blaring away as if it were vehemently protesting its impromptu dip into the dam. "I’ll be in the book of dummies for eternity. And my wife is definitely going to rescind my fishing privileges," sighed Wagner, who had been on the receiving end of much good- natured humor and sympathy during the rescue mission. Quickly unlocking his car door to retrieve his soggy insurance and registration for Hoxsie, Wagner finally smiled and said, "I know the moral of this story — Use the parking brake!" Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times