A 23-year-old man described as homeless fell into the Pacoima Wash Tuesday and was rescued in a concrete tunnel 2 1/2 miles away by the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue team.
The man fell into water moving at 8 to 10 miles per hour in the flood control channel near Foothill Boulevard, said LAFD spokesman Brain Humphrey.
Witnesses called 9-1-1, and the LAFD’s Swift Water Rescue team used a tethered inflatable boat to rescue the man in the tunnel that transports storm water under the 5 Freeway, Humphrey said.
The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia and abrasions to his hands.
The LAFD spokesman warned people to stay away from flood control channels.
“This incident underscores the life-threatening danger of storm water runoff that can linger long after the rain has passed. We’re grateful for the witnesses who promptly called 9-1-1 and did not attempt to perform a spontaneous rescue, which could have led to multiple victims and the loss of lives.” Humphrey said.
In this rescue, the water was 18 inches deep — but moving swiftly is enough to carry a person away.
“Though our skies are now clear, storm drains and flood control channels remain life threatening, and we ask parents to make sure all household members are aware of the danger,” Humphrey added.
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