Virginia Department Completes Water Rescue

............BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT
Special to Firehouse.Com News

•WWBT News - Richmond, VA Video

The call came in at 20:18, Thursday, April 10, a vehicle accident with people trapped inside, vehicle dangling over embankment, partially submerged in raging waters.

Henrico County, along with the rest of Virginia had received several inches of rain in the already saturated environment. Thursday, a deluge of rain fell accompanied by high winds with strong gusts.

Many roads were closed due to flooding. Creeks and drainage ditches had heaved their banks. Fallen trees and downed power lines dotted the landscape. Driving conditions were very hazardous.

"Engine 13 arrived on the scene first. After viewing the situation an immediate call for assistance was issued. Truck Company 12, a ladder truck, and dive and rescue combined forces," said Captain Joseph Kameros, Station 17,Dive and Rescue.

A BMW had hydroplaned on the flooded road, struck a mini-van which it sent spinning and over an embankment. The vehicle was partially submerged in a ravine with raging water 4-6ft deep.

They were near a culvert which passed under the road and posed a constant threat of danger. "The vehicle was vertical,” Captain Kameros explained. "It looked like the mini-van had backed down the embankment. The water was halfway up the tires.”

“Engine 13 had secured the vehicle upon arrival on the scene. Winches and ropes were used. We were in contact with the family in the vehicle. A diver in a dry suit wearing a flotation device and tethered with a secured line went down beside the vehicle," Kameros said.

The strong current constantly pulled at the vehicle and the rescuers. The mother was out first. She was assisted up the ladder. Another team member wearing a flotation device, also tethered, carried the 4-year-old up the ladder. The father climbed up next.

"The team was standing there in their turnout gear getting soaking wet. It seemed like we were in a cell of rain. We were lucky. There were no injuries and the family didn't panic. A situation like that usually evokes panic," Kameros said. The rescue took 30-40 minutes.