ICYMI: Missing Indiana Mom’s 6-Day NIGHTMARE Ends—Her Incredible SURVIVAL Story!
An Indiana mother’s incredible survival story unfolded when an eagle-eyed excavator operator spotted her crashed car hidden beneath a bridge. 🌐 #News #NewtonCountyIN #Indiana #Rescue
NEWTON COUNTY, IN — Brieonna Cassell, 41, refused to give up even as despair set in. For six grueling days, the mother of three remained trapped in her mangled vehicle after it plunged into a deep ditch under a bridge in Newton County, Indiana.
The Crash That Changed Everything
Last Thursday night, exhaustion took its toll as Cassell dozed off behind the wheel.
Her vehicle veered off the road, ending up in a location virtually invisible to passing traffic. With serious injuries to her legs and wrist — and her phone dead and out of reach — she found herself in a desperate fight for survival.
Ingenious Will to Live
As cars rumbled overhead on the bridge, Cassell’s screams went unheard. But she didn’t surrender.
Instead, she devised an ingenious solution: using her hoodie to soak up water from a nearby ditch, she managed to keep herself hydrated by wringing the moisture into her mouth.
The Miracle Rescue
By Tuesday morning, Cassell had nearly lost all hope. That’s when Johnny Martinez, operating equipment for a drainage company, noticed something unusual.
His elevated position in a tractor revealed what countless others had missed — including local fire assistant chief Jeremy Vanderwall, who had driven past the spot several times.
Martinez contacted Vanderwall, and together they found Cassell conscious and alert, though severely injured.
She was immediately airlifted to a Chicago hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
A Father’s Relief
Her father, Delmar Caldwell, credits divine intervention and community prayers for his daughter’s rescue.
He reports she’s now in good spirits and eating well, marking a remarkable turn in what could have been a tragic story.
The Hero’s Impact
Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran praised Martinez’s attentiveness, noting that his quick thinking proved crucial. Vanderwall echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that without Martinez’s persistence in investigating the scene, Cassell’s outcome might have been drastically different.
For Cassell, what began as a routine drive became a harrowing test of survival — one that she conquered through resourcefulness and an unwavering will to live.
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RELATED TOPICS: Accidents and Rescues | Indiana
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