Woman recently released from hospital drives into canal

A woman, who had been released from the hospital for back surgery, drove into a canal at County 14th Street Friday afternoon, fire officials said.

According to Somerton Cocopah Fire Department, a report was made of a vehicle in the Levee Salinity Canal at County 14th Street.

Crews arrived on scene and found a Border Patrol helicopter that had landed and its crew. One Border Patrol agent on the ground was already in the vehicle stabilizing the female driver. Other Border Patrol personnel had tied off the burgundy Honda Accord to stop it from being pushed down stream.

Fire officials said it is unknown at this time how the woman drove the vehicle over the levee at County 14th Street and into Levee Salinity Canal. The woman told authorities that she had just been released from the hospital for back surgery before the incident.

She was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.