Bystanders rescue woman after cranberry bog crash
Nov 23, 2023
The car involved in the crash at a bog on Maple Springs Road. Source: Wareham Police Department
First responders assessing the scene. Source: Wareham Police Department
Alisha McGough, 31, of Wareham is facing charges for operating under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation after crashing her car into a bog, according to the Wareham Police Department.
Two bystanders, Sammy Thomas and Austin Maxim, saved McGough from her overturned vehicle before the police arrived on the scene.
The crash occurred on Thursday, Nov. 23, at the bottom of Maple Springs Road.
Maxim and Thomas were parked in the vicinity and saw McGough drive down the road, start to turn around and go in the water, said Thomas.
Thomas proceeded to jumped in the water to check on the woman, while Maxim called 911.
"Honestly, I just did what I had to do, I guess," Thomas said.
McGough said she couldn't swim, so Maxim climbed across the overturned belly of the car and opened a rear door for her to crawl through, Thomas said.
"It was crazy how they happened to be right there," said Laura Maxim, Austin's mother. She and her husband had been out at the Elks, and returned home to find the two with quite a story to tell.
Wareham police, fire and Emergency Medical Services Local 2895 responded to the crash just after midnight on Thursday, Nov. 23.
On scene, the first responders saw bystanders helping McGough out of her car, which was submersed in water, according to the Wareham Police Department.
Wareham Fire searched the vehicle, the water way and secured any potential hazards.
