Wife's call leads to husband's rescue

ORIOLE, Mo. -- A deaf woman used a telephone to get help when high waters swept her husband's car off a rural bridge late Thursday.

William Purcell, driving alone in a vehicle, attempted to cross Flora Creek, not realizing how high the water had risen, the Missouri Highway Patrol said.

The water pushed the back of his car off the bridge and left the car standing on its back end.

His wife saw the accident from their house up the hill, dialed 911 and hung up. Emergency officials through their caller ID sent Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputy Todd Stevens to investigate the call. He found Purcell's vehicle in the creek. East County Fire District personnel were able to fish out Purcell, who is also deaf, through the passenger window.