Associated Press
 
July 3, 2009
 
WHITE CITY, Ore. -- Jackson County authorities say a White City man was critically injured when his pickup crashed into an irrigation ditch.
 
But sheriff's Sgt. Marty Clark says 55-year-old James Liles would have likely drowned Thursday if not for the quick thinking of some passers-by.
 
A man used his truck and tow chain to pull the submerged vehicle out of the water and onto its wheels. Two other men pulled Liles out of the cab and onto a road.
 
Shirley Blanchard of Eagle Point then performed chest compressions to remove the water from his lungs.
 
Liles was taken to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford.