Three people who climbed into a tree after their SUV was washed down a creek in Devore were saved by San Bernardino County firefighters early Monday, Feb. 5, in what one firefighter described as the most dangerous rescue of his career.
This was one of many such incidents for swift-water rescue teams in Southern California during a storm that is depositing historic amounts of rainfall.
The rescues typically involve homeless people who did not evacuate river areas, and motorists who ignored warnings not to drive through high water.
For related, see: Rainfall totals: See how much rain has fallen in Riverside, San Bernardino counties
Such was the case in Devore, where a driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe hauling a box trailer tried to find a shortcut and attempted to cross Keenbrook Road, which was covered by water from Cajon Creek, said Eric Sherwin, a Fire Department spokesman.
The force of the water, however, pushed the SUV and trailer into the creek, with the strong current propelling them downstream until they were stopped by a tree. Two adults and their teenage son escaped from the SUV and into the tree and called 911 late Sunday.
Firefighters arrived to find a dangerous current and almost no access to the tree.
First, Sherwin said, they launched an inflatable boat, but they were unable to anchor it.
So two tethered firefighters entered the water. They made it to the family and strapped them to their bodies.
The rescuers placed themselves between the current and the victims and walked them to safety. The victims were not injured but were evaluated for hypothermia, Sherwin said.
One of the rescuers recounted to Sherwin the challenges they faced because of the current, obstacles in the water, darkness and limited access.
“He said it was the sketchiest rescue in his career,” Sherwin said. “He was actually fearful for his own life but realized if (they) didn’t go out there, nobody else would get out there.”
Sherwin urged drivers to heed warnings about traveling through high water.
“This incident was 100% avoidable,” he said. “If people would simply remember, ‘Turn around, don’t drown.’
“These victims were unbelievably lucky.”
Meanwhile, swift-water rescue teams were typically busy along both sides of the Santa Ana River.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department firefighters hoisted two homeless people and their dogs off of an island surrounded by water near the Carlson Bark Park on Monday morning, Feb. 5, in Jurupa Valley. A third person declined to be rescued, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire also rescued two people out of the river near Limonite and Ridgeview avenues in Jurupa Valley.
Riverside firefighters performed a number of similar rescues in their city, including homeless people stuck on an island near the Van Buren Boulevard bridge. Firefighters pulled seven people along with their 12 dogs from the river, Capt. Paul Seawright said. Some people chose to stay and were left with a path to safety if they decided to depart, he said.
The road was closed in both directions during the operation.
