A woman is facing multiple charges after a collision left an infant in harms way. But quick-thinking by Portage la Prairie RCMP officers helped save the young life.

A child could be heard screaming from inside a car after a traffic collision left a vehicle lying on its driver's side in a ditch filled with water around 11:30 p.m on Saskatchewan Avenue East in Portage la Prairie April 7, Mounties say in a release.

Officers arrived within minutes to the scene and when looking inside the vehicle observed that an infant was still strapped to his car seat and partially submerged in freezing cold water.

One of the officers removed his safety equipment and climbed into the vehicle through the broken front passenger side window. Upon reaching the child in the back seat, the officer was required to cut the child free from his child seat.

Once removed, the one-year-old infant was immediately taken to hospital by other officers who were on scene.

“Our officers acted quickly that evening and saved a young life” said Inspector Rick Head, Officer in Charge of the Portage la Prairie Detachment, in a statement. “This incident also speaks to the dangers of impaired driving, this could have resulted in a tragic loss of life. We are thankful that only minor injuries were sustained and that everyone has since been released from hospital.” 

Police say officers spoke with the driver who was at the scene and determined that her vehicle, carrying five occupants in total, lost control and rolled into the ditch. A 29-year-old female passenger was ejected from the vehicle. Two female infants, ages two and one, were also in the vehicle at the time of the collision. All occupants were taken to hospital.

During their investigation, officers determined the driver of the vehicle was intoxicated.

A 29-year-old female from Portage la Prairie is charged with Driving while Disqualified, Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Impaired Operation over 80mg% and Failing to Comply with Probation. She has been remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in court in Portage La Prairie Monday.

RCMP is not releasing her name to protect the identity of the children involved.

The investigation continues.