Tots rescued after van rolls onto frozen river

1/24/2004

OTTAWA, Ohio - Two children left alone inside a van were rescued by police and fire crews yesterday after the vehicle rolled down a hill and flipped over.

The van ended up coming to rest on the Blanchard River, which was frozen. The children, ages 2 and 3, were taken to St. Rita's Putnam County Ambulatory Care Center, where they were treated.

The children's mother, Connie Rivas, 32, of Ottawa, parked her van in a driveway in the 300 block of North Perry Street. She went inside a house, and soon after she saw the van rolling down a hill. She called 911 to report the incident.