Driver rescued from swamp after crashing car and fleeing on foot in Washington County

ERIN, Wis. (CBS 58) --- A drunk driver had to be extracted from a swamp after crashing his car and fleeing on foot in the Town of Erin around 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27. 

According to Washington County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to a car crash with injuries in the 6200 block of Cty Tk Q in the the Town of Erin. Witnesses told police that a man exited the car and ran from the scene.

Deputies found the car unoccupied and began looking for the subject who fled. K-9 track started in an attempt to find him around 7:45 p.m. 

The K-9 tracked westbound in the ditch of Cty Tk Q for almost a mile where the dog lost the scent in a swamp, officials say.

Shortly after 9 p.m., a deputy heard a man yelling for help from the swampy area where the K-9 lost the track. Two deputies entered the swamp in an attempt to locate the subject based on the distress in the man's voice, according to officials.

Deputies were able to find the man in distress after what they say was nearly 45 minutes of traversing thorough 400 yard of waist-high water and mud.

The man had to be extracted by fire personnel from both Slinger and Hartford. It took nearly five hours in the swamp for the man to be extracted and turned over to rescue personnel.

Officials say the man was transported to an area hospital where he was evaluated with possible hypothermia.

The two deputies who initially located the subject were also evaluated for possible hypothermia. A Hartford fire fighter was also transported for possible exposure.

According to officials, the man was determined to be the driver of the crashed car and will face charges for drunk driving.