Virgin River, Utah – A dramatic incident unfolded yesterday afternoon when a Hummer attempted to cross a shallow section of the Virgin River but was quickly overwhelmed by rising water, leaving the vehicle stranded and its engine stalled midstream.
According to the driver, he tried to cut travel time by fording the river. However, what initially appeared to be a shallow crossing turned into a serious hazard as the front end of the vehicle became submerged.
After safely exiting the vehicle, the driver contacted Matt’s Off Road Recovery – the YouTube-famous off-road rescue team known for tackling extreme recovery missions.
Matt Wetzel, the team’s founder, and his crew arrived promptly.
Faced with difficult terrain and deep water, the team devised a strategic recovery plan using extended winch cables and a 4×4 recovery vehicle to approach the Hummer from the opposite riverbank.
“Access was tricky due to the depth and slick mud, but with good teamwork and experience, we managed to recover the Hummer without causing further damage,” Matt said in a video documenting the rescue.
The video was posted to Matt’s Off Road Recovery’s YouTube and Instagram accounts, quickly gaining hundreds of thousands of views.
Fans flooded the comments with humorous takes, such as: “A Hummer trying to act like a Jeep — and learning the hard way.”
This incident once again highlights the professional skill of Matt’s team and serves as a reminder of the dangers of underestimating off-road terrain.
With a mix of practical recovery knowledge, entertaining storytelling, and relatable moments, Matt and his crew continue to inspire and educate their growing global audience.