That is an amazing story. I witnessed a woman drive right into a creek a couple years ago. Car wasn't submerged at all, firemen got her out, door was jammed. I was about 100 yards upstream down in the creek when it happened.
Tip action is a big factor with fly rods. Fast action generally refers to a "quick" tip, quicker reflex. A slow action tip is more "whippy" and bends further with the same amount of effort. So far as I can tell it's a matter of preference.