DRESBACH, Minn.  — A Massachusetts traveler jumped into the Mississippi River at the Dresbach rest stop and pulled a semi-conscious man from a sinking car. The man had crashed down a steep embankment after suffering a seizure at the wheel. Dustin Leaning witnessed the crash, jumped into the river, forced open the driver door, pulled out the stricken driver, and carried him to shore. The driver was taken 12 miles to a LaCrosese hospital. By the time that Winona County deputies arrived at the rest stop, off Interstate 90 at the Minnesota-Wiscosin bridge, just below the Lock and Dam 7 gates, the car was fully submerged. Dustin Leaning, 32, and Brittany Pashkow. 31, of Boston, had  just parked their live-in travel camper at the rest stop when they saw the car roll into the river. This was about 12:05 p.m.  Leaning ran across the parking lot to the river and jumped in. Pashkow dialed 911. Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude called Leaning and Pashkow heroes: “They were in the right place at the right time and took immediate action.” The couple, who are intrepid travelers and adventurers, continued on their their way.

Pashow and Leaning. Image from an earlier trip to U.S. parks and other travel destinations.

Steep grassy embankment, Wher car splashed into Mississippi.