First Images of Utah 'Miracle' Baby After Surviving Deadly Car Crash

The18-month-old girl survived 14 hours upside-down in frigid water.

ByABC News
March 12, 2015, 11:05 AM

— -- The first images and video have been released of the recovering "miracle" baby who was in a partially submerged car for nearly 14 hours.

Lily Groesbeck survived hours in a wrecked car in freezing temperatures before being rescued by first responders Saturday. The car was found partially in the Spanish Fork River, outside Salt Lake City, Utah, with water so frigid rescuers could only stay in it a few moments at time. Her mother, who was driving, did not survive.

After being rescued, 18-month-old Lily was initially taken to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City in stable condition. The video shows Lily, prior to her release from the hospital on Wednesday, playing with her father and singing along to "The Wheels on the Bus."

PHOTO: Lily Groesbeck plays with her father, Devin Trafny, in a hospital room on March 11, 2015, in a home video provided by a family member.
Lily Groesbeck plays with her father, Devin Trafny, in a hospital room on March 11, 2015, in a home video provided by a family member.

"Her improvement is astounding. Right now she's watching Dora and singing 'Wheels on the Bus' with Grandpa," Lily's aunt Jill Sanderson wrote on the family's fundraising page earlier this week. "She is smiling and laughing for family members. We're blown away by Lily's progress and so grateful to her rescuers."

PHOTO: Jennifer Groesbeck, with her daughter Lily, and the girl's father, Deven Richard Trafny. Groesbeck was killed in a crash Friday, March 6, 2015, but Lily survived.
Jennifer Groesbeck, with her daughter Lily, and the girl's father, Deven Richard Trafny. Groesbeck was killed in a crash Friday, March 6, 2015, but Lily survived.

Rescuers did not initially realize the toddler was in the car, although officers and firefighters at the scene reported hearing a voice asking for help before locating her. Officials said they believe her mother, Lynn Jennifer Groesbeck, 25, died on impact.

A baby was rescued alive from a car overturned in a Utah river on Saturday, March 7, 2015.
A baby was rescued alive from a car overturned in a Utah river on Saturday, March 7, 2015.