ndhpCHURCHS FERRY, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper waded through a slough to rescue an 81-year-old woman who had driven into the water near Churchs Ferry.
 
     The patrol says Mertie Kurtti, of Rocklake, was traveling on U.S. Highway 281 a half mile north of Churchs Ferry on Wednesday afternoon when she lost control of her car and went into the ditch and then the slough.
 
     The vehicle became submerged to the top of the seats, and Kurtti was covered in water up to her neck. Trooper Grant Lonski walked through water up to his stomach and pulled Kurtti from the vehicle.
 
     Kurtti was taken to a Devils Lake hospital and treated for hypothermia.

 Search and Rescue assisted Cowboy’s Towing in the removal of the vehicle from the water.