TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson Fire Department responded to two swift water rescue calls Tuesday, Sept. 24.
DISPATCH: 12:30 p.m.
RESCUED: 1:11 p.m.
The first incident took place on South Wilmot, near Old Vail Road.
TFD says a vehicle was in the water off the west side of the road and the driver climbed onto the hood. Crews used an aerial ladder to rescue the driver. No injuries were reported.
DISPATCH: 1:08 p.m.
RESCUED: 1:36 p.m.
The second swift water rescue occurred near Escalante and Harrison in the Pantano Wash. TFD says the patient was a teenager who was holding on to shrubs in the water. The water had then receded enough for responding crews to walk to the teen, tie on a rope, and walk them across to the shore.
"Do not enter or attempt to cross wash channels when water is running through them. There is no way to tell how deep or fast the water is moving. If driving in a vehicle, find another way around the hazard. Also, do not walk up (on foot) to wash channels when they are running and certainly don’t enter them. Additional rainfall is in the forecast this week and it will not take much more to cause runoff to flow again in area wash channels. Be sure to pay constant attention to your surrounding and we cannot stress this enough - Turn Around, Don’t Drown," TFD said.
