Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
PROVO — A heavy snowstorm wreaked havoc on the roads Thursday, causing a harrowing accident that left three friends with a story they won't soon forget.
What started as "the best day of our lives of skiing," as Breck Benard described, quickly turned into a fight for survival when their truck slid off an icy road and plunged upside-down into a river.
Benard, Landon Clayton and their other friend were making their way down the canyon when they noticed the treacherous road conditions. According to Clayton, they were driving at a cautious pace — "maybe 5 miles per hour" — when the truck began to slide uncontrollably.
"I slowly put pressure on the brakes, (and) nothing happens," said Clayton.
Before they knew it, the truck veered off the road, flipped, and came to rest upside down in the freezing water. With the cab rapidly filling with water, the trio knew they had to act fast.
Despite the panic-inducing situation, Clayton kept his cool and led the charge to get everyone out safely.
"I mean, it was like watching a superhero be born. It really was," Benard said, praising his friend's quick thinking. "He initiated everything, and (my friend) and I just kind of followed through."
Fortunately, all three made it out without injury, though they were soaked and shivering from the icy creek. Help soon arrived, but not without more drama — the officer who responded parked his car only to watch it begin sliding toward the creek as well. Luckily, a pothole stopped the vehicle from going over the edge.
The friends expressed deep gratitude for the first responders and the strangers who stopped to help.
"Sincere gratitude for the people in my life and just appreciating them," said Clayton. "I genuinely have the best friends in the world."
