By By Janet Little Cooper
An Atmore woman is thankful to be alive after she was submerged in swamp water Friday morning after losing control of her vehicle.
Odes Riley, 45 of Atmore, was on her way to work when she lost control of her car on State Road 135 in Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores.
"I can't remember much about what happened," Riley said. "I remember looking at my clock radio in the car and seeing 7:43 a.m. and then the next thing I remember is my car sitting upside down."
According to the Gulf Shores Police Department, Riley apparently lost control of her 2001 Impala on a curve in the road, hitting a power pole and then overturning into a swamp.
Riley was told by officials that her car filled up with water and bystanders saved her life by holding her head up until rescue workers were able to free her from the wreckage.
"I was told that someone held my head up out of the water," Riley said. "I don't remember any of that but I would love to meet the person. They saved my life."
Riley was transported to North Baldwin Infirmary in Foley where she was later released.
"That was the only good part of the accident," Riley said. "Other than being really sore, I didn't have any serious injuries or scrapes and cuts. I was wearing my seat belt as I always do and was driving the speed limit. My friends call me Mrs. Daisy because I drive so slowly. My friends did tell me that I had a few fish on the stretcher with me when they moved me from the car though."
Riley's car was declared a total loss in the accident and traffic was temporarily blocked on SR 135 while the car was pulled from the water.