Police in Nowa Sól, Lubusz Voivodeship, successfully escorted a woman in labor to the hospital on Saturday, September 21, after her car became stranded on a flooded road. Torrential rains had caused widespread flooding in the region, making the roads impassable for many vehicles. The dramatic rescue unfolded as the pregnant woman’s vehicle got stuck on a water-covered street, intensifying the urgency of her situation as she was in active labor.
The situation came to the attention of local authorities when the emergency dispatcher in Nowa Sól received a call reporting the stranded vehicle. Aspirant Justyna Sęczkowska-Sobol, the police spokesperson for Nowa Sól, explained the gravity of the moment: “The woman was in labor, and she could give birth at any moment.”
A police unit stationed nearby, initially assigned to flood prevention duties, was immediately dispatched to the scene. These officers, part of the Gorzów Wielkopolski unit, reached the stranded vehicle and began escorting it toward the hospital in Nowa Sól. Upon reaching the city limits, local police, more familiar with the area, took over the escort, ensuring a swift journey through the city’s still-flooded streets.
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Thanks to the coordination between the two police units, the woman arrived at the hospital on time and was transferred to the care of the medical staff without incident. Sęczkowska-Sobol praised the quick response and local knowledge of the Nowa Sól police, stating that their familiarity with the city’s routes allowed them to get the woman to the hospital in a timely manner.
The rescue was part of a broader struggle with rising water levels in the region. By Monday, September 23, the floodwaters of the Odra River had peaked in Nowa Sól, with water levels recorded at 646 centimeters, significantly above the alarm threshold of 450 cm. According to Paweł Staniszewski, a hydrologist from IMGW, the floodwaters were expected to begin receding later that evening.
The Lubusz region had been grappling with heavy rains and subsequent flooding over the days leading up to the incident, with authorities on high alert due to the rising river levels. While emergency services were stretched thin managing the flood response, they still prioritized the safety of residents, as shown by this rapid intervention.
Though dramatic, the police escort highlights the risks that flooding presents not only to infrastructure but to individuals in urgent need of medical care. In this case, the coordination between the officers ensured a successful outcome, with the woman safely in the hands of hospital staff just in time.
Background:
The recent flooding in Lubusz Voivodeship has caused widespread disruptions, with the Odra River reaching dangerous levels in multiple towns. Authorities have been monitoring the situation closely, warning residents and advising caution on waterlogged roads. The escort of the pregnant woman is one of several emergency situations police and rescue services have had to handle amid the ongoing crisis.
