Date/Time: 1/01/23, 2:31AM
Location: 1N33 x South Lytle Creek Rd, Lytle Creek
Incident: Swift Water Rescue
Summary:
Early this morning San Bernardino County Fire Crews were dispatched to a reported swift water rescue in the area of Forest Service Road 1N33 and South Lytle Creek Rd in the community Lytle Creek. 911 callers stated one vehicle stuck in raging floodwaters with three people trapped. A full swift water rescue assignment was dispatched, including #SBCoFD a specialized water rescue team.
Firefighters arrived to find one vehicle stuck in floodwaters, with three occupants trapped. The high and fast flowing floodwaters were multiple feet high, not allowing the vehicle to drive to safety or the occupants to safely exit the vehicle. Arriving personnel set-up for a rescue, utilizing specially trained Swift Water Trained personnel and equipment. Rescuers entered the flood waters and worked safely to facilitate a rescuer of two adults and a child.
Once the patients were removed they were assessed by awaiting paramedics. Thankfully all parties were uninjured and declined transport. No firefighters were injured in the rescue.
San Bernardino County Fire responded with three Engines, an Urban Search of Rescue (USAR) unit, Medic Squad, Training Officer and a Battalion Chief. Two American Medical Response (AMR) ambulances responded.
Heavy rainfall can cause normally dry washes and riverbeds to become raging torrents in a very short amount of time and it only takes as little as 12 inches of moving water to move a vehicle. Never cross a road that you can’t see due to it being covered by water, remember, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
