Raw video shows dramatic rescue of baby Lily from car in river

Posted by life dynamics on March 16, 2015

A dramatic body-cam footage has been released of first responders rescuing Lily Groesbeck, who survived hours dangling above the icy waters of the Spanish Fork River after a car crash that killed her mother.

The 18-month-old was pulled from the frigid Utah river after being strapped in a car seat upside-down for some 14 hours before being found by a fisherman.

Her mother, Lynn “Jenny” Groesbeck, 25, was found dead in the car, police said.

A report by USA Today has the details:

Eighteen-month-old Lily Groesbeck suffered only bruises when her 25-year-old mother crashed on a bridge late Friday and landed in the Spanish Fork River. She was released Wednesday from a Salt Lake City hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition Saturday afternoon.

Her father, Deven Trafny, told reporters his daughter was now “in great condition — happy, playing, talking and even reciting her nursery rhymes.”



“It’s a miracle. The doctors say it’s a miracle,” said the 34-year-old Trafny, who held a bedside vigil after rescuers found her upside down in her car seat, just inches above the water. “She should be gone. She shouldn’t be here. I’m blessed. I’m counting all my blessings right now.”

A 2014 picture posted to Jenny’s Facebook page shows her referring to Lily as her angel: