Man trapped by rainwater in La Habra wash rescued by firefighters
Search and rescue team members pulled a man trapped by rushing water out of a La Habra wash Thursday afternoon, Dec. 6.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the wash canal that runs beneath West Lambert Road, near Monte Vista Street, about 12:40 p.m., said Joey Marron, an inspector with the county fire department. When rescuers arrived, they found the man trapped in the wash.
The man was removed from the wash about 2:46 p.m. and transported to a local hospital, Marron said. The man’s condition and details about any possible injuries were not immediately available.
A rescue specialist with the department’s Urban Search and Rescue task force was lowered into the wash using a crane-like device. The rescuer attached the man to a harness and the two were hoisted from the wash.
Traffic was halted on nearby Idaho Street during the operation.
The rescue came as heavy rain has pounded Southern California, prompting numerous road closures due to floods and mudslides, along with mandatory evacuations in some neighborhoods near the Holy fire burn area throughout Riverside and Orange counties.
Battalion 21 Units conduct swift water rescue spearheaded by @LACOFD USAR Taskforce 103! Firefighters lowered into extremely hazardous flood control channel in City of La Habra saving the life of a man in great danger. Always Stay clear of flood channels during rain storms! pic.twitter.com/RgNMDitTFS
— LACounty Fire PIO (@LACoFDPIO) December 6, 2018