Worland first responders rescue submerged smartphone from Bighorn River

The Worland Volunteer Fire Department mobilized to rescue a vehicle that had driven into the Bighorn River on Thursday night. Instead, they recovered a smartphone with its flashlight still on.

Over a dozen people and one of the department’s ladder trucks rushed to the scene after two teenagers spotted an unknown light in the water offshore near the boat launch. They also saw two-wheel tracks leading into the water and weren’t sure what they were seeing.

“We were impressed that it was still on,” said Worland Volunteer Fire Chief Chris Kocher. “I would have thought that it would have shorted out before we got there.”

When responders arrived, they realized the water wasn’t deep enough for a vehicle. A firefighter waded in with a pike pole and located the phone. It was handed over to law enforcement, who are still investigating.

Kocher praised the teenagers for calling 911. “They saw a light in the water, and they didn’t know exactly what it was,” he said. “I certainly wouldn’t want to see light in the water and not do what I could to possibly help someone. They did the exact right thing.”