83-year-old sleeps in trunk of car partly submerged in creek, Washington rescuers say

Trapped inside a car partly sunk in a creek, an 83-year-old driver slept in the trunk until he could call for rescue the next morning, Washington firefighters told news outlets.

The man veered off the road into the Cowlitz County creek near Longview at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, after being blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, KATU reported.

Unable to find his phone or escape as his car filled with water, the driver climbed into the trunk and fell asleep, KPTV reported.

He found his phone at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and called 911, KOIN reported. Firefighters spent about 30 minutes looking for his car, which had gone down a 25-foot embankment.

Firefighters used several ladders to rescue the man, who was taken to a hospital with chest injuries, an ankle injury and exposure, KATU reported.

The man was able to find his phone when a low battery alarm began going off, KPTV said.

Longview is a community of about 38,000 about 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon, just across the Washington border.