LAFD Swift Water Team Rescues Man From Pacoima Wash
PACOIMA - The Los Angeles Fire Department rapidly responded by ground and air to successfully rescue a man from fast moving water in the Pacoima Wash on March 7, 2023.
Though several days had passed since strong rainstorms soaked the Los Angeles area, the concrete lined flood control channel, which guides some storm water runoff from the San Gabriel Mountains, had 18" of water moving at nearly 10 miles-per-hour when a 23 year-old man fell into the tributary near Foothill Boulevard shortly after 10 AM.
Thanks to the many eyewitnesses along the waterway who called 911, LAFD crews were able to find the man hidden 2.5 miles downstream, clinging to an abutment within a lengthy tunnel that accommodates the steady flow of storm water as it crosses below surface streets and a wide swath of the Golden State (I-5) Freeway.
The successful rescue of the young man was performed by an LAFD Swift Water Rescue team member using a tethered inflatable LAFD Rescue Boat.
Once safely brought to shore, the victim was treated by LAFD Paramedics for hypothermia and hand abrasions, before being transported in fair condition to an area hospital for further care.
LAFD helicopters and ground crews thoroughly surveyed the area, and found no other victims.
© Photo by Hrach Tiflizyan
LAFD Incident 030723-0569
Connect with us: LAFD.ORG | News | Facebook | Instagram | Reddit | Twitter: @LAFD @LAFDtalk
LAFD Swift Water Team Rescues Man From Pacoima Wash
PACOIMA - The Los Angeles Fire Department rapidly responded by ground and air to successfully rescue a man from fast moving water in the Pacoima Wash on March 7, 2023.
Though several days had passed since strong rainstorms soaked the Los Angeles area, the concrete lined flood control channel, which guides some storm water runoff from the San Gabriel Mountains, had 18" of water moving at nearly 10 miles-per-hour when a 23 year-old man fell into the tributary near Foothill Boulevard shortly after 10 AM.
Thanks to the many eyewitnesses along the waterway who called 911, LAFD crews were able to find the man hidden 2.5 miles downstream, clinging to an abutment within a lengthy tunnel that accommodates the steady flow of storm water as it crosses below surface streets and a wide swath of the Golden State (I-5) Freeway.
The successful rescue of the young man was performed by an LAFD Swift Water Rescue team member using a tethered inflatable LAFD Rescue Boat.
Once safely brought to shore, the victim was treated by LAFD Paramedics for hypothermia and hand abrasions, before being transported in fair condition to an area hospital for further care.
LAFD helicopters and ground crews thoroughly surveyed the area, and found no other victims.
© Photo by Hrach Tiflizyan
LAFD Incident 030723-0569
Connect with us: LAFD.ORG | News | Facebook | Instagram | Reddit | Twitter: @LAFD @LAFDtalk