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Man survives when car slides off road into river

Spring Lake police say Bill Cable was driving on Manchester Road when he hydroplaned and water swept his 2003 Toyota Camry into the Little River.

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SPRING LAKE, N.C. — An 82-year-old man was drying out Monday after a close call during Sunday's heavy rain.

Spring Lake police say Bill Cable was driving on Manchester Road when he hydroplaned and water swept his 2003 Toyota Camry into the Little River.

"I'm lucky," Cable said Monday.

As the water poured into his vehicle, the Vietnam veteran said his military training kicked in.

"The first thing you do is don't panic," he said.

"The water was pushing my automobile down. I tried my left door and couldn't get the darn thing open. So then I reached and got out the passenger side."

Cable's car was washed about 500 feet downstream where it remained submerged Monday.

Unable to call for help because his cellphone was soaked, Cable walked a mile to his home in the rain.

He figured it was too late to worry the neighbors, so Cable simply showered and went to bed. On Monday morning, he returned with Spring Lake police to watch as his car was pulled from the river.

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