Truck found in pond with unresponsive driver in Lancaster County

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and Southeast Fire and Rescue responded to a rescue alarm on Saturday.

LCSO said officers were sent to the area of 75th St. and Badger Road around 4:00 p.m. They received information that someone had reportedly suffered a medical episode and their vehicle was submerged in a nearby pond.

Officials said 35-year-old Jordan Kurtzer, a resident of the area, was traveling through the area and saw a large splash in the pond before noticing the partially submerged truck. Kurtzer and another man named "Don" entered the lake, no other information about Don is available.

According to authorities, Kurtzer told them that he swam to the truck and realized the doors were locked. Don reportedly found a tire iron in the bed of the truck and Kurtzer used it to break the back window. Kurtzer then entered the truck through the broken widow and unlocked the rear door.

Officers said the truck began to sink again once the door was opened. Kurtzer was reportedly able to unbuckle the driver who was conscious, but non-responsive, and pulled him into the backseat.

LCSO said lifejackets were found in the backseat and Kurtzer and Don used them to wrap each of the driver's arms in order to make him more buoyant. Lincoln Police Department Sgt. Tu Tran arrived at the scene and removed his protective vest and equipment belt before swimming to the truck.

Officials said Tran reached the bottom of the pond near the back of the truck. Kurtzer and Don reportedly floated the still unresponsive driver to Tran. The three of them then moved the driver to shore where a responding medical personnel was waiting.

According to authorities, Tran caught his thigh on a fishing lure while heading to the shore but another responding officer helped him in removing it with a multi-tool. 

LCSO said the driver is expected to recover.