SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA – San Bernardino County Fire crews rescued an adult female late this morning after she had become stuck in a narrow section of underground storm drainage in downtown San Bernardino.
At approximately 10:20 am, SB County Fire responded to reports of a subject trapped in a storm drain tunnel near the county courthouse on Arrowhead Ave. and Fourth St., where witnesses had heard the woman calling for help.
The first arriving crew was able to visualize and communicate with the patient at the end point of the narrow concrete channel, finding she had become stuck approximately 15 feet back from the opening. Crews put ventilation plans in place, recirculating fresh air into the system. With no room to turn around, the patient was then coached to inch herself backwards about 20 feet, where another crew opened another access point, made entry into the pipe and assisted her to safety.
Firefighter paramedics placed her on a waiting American Medical Response ambulance gurney for transport to a local hospital for evaluation. The woman had no obvious injuries.
It was unclear how far back in the drainage system the patient, found unclothed above the waist, had entered the channel, nor how long she had been trapped.
The patient was extricated and transported to a local hospital in approximately 25 minutes. #SBCoFD #AMR
Date/Time: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 10:20 am
Location: Arrowhead Ave. & 4th St., San Bernardino
Incident: Rescue
Contact Info: Ryan Beckers, Public Information Officer
rbeckers@sbcfire.org