Man trapped in rushing Southern California storm waters pulled to safety

A man trapped in the rushing waters of a storm wash in San Bernardino County had to be rescued, authorities announced.  

In a news release posted to social media Wednesday, officials with the San Bernardino Police Department said officers, along with San Bernardino firefighters, received an urgent report of a man trapped in the fast-moving and rapidly rising water of the wash, brought on by heavy rain over the last day and a half.  

In footage of the rescue released by the department, crews could be seen using industrial wire cutters and a saw to cut the barbed wire topping the chain link fence around the wash.  

It is unknown if the man in need of rescue was homeless and had been down in the wash to protect himself from the weather or what the particular circumstances entailed, but footage showed first responders draping an extension ladder over the side of the concrete wall of the wash and taking the victim up the ladder in what appears to be minor rain.  

The unidentified man was successfully pulled from the dangerous waters and was treated at the scene. It is unclear if he was taken to the hospital.  

“This is your warning to practice caution and find high ground during inclement weather,” officials said in the release. “The wash is especially prone to rapidly rising flood levels, making it crucial to stay safe and alert.  

KTLA has reached out to SBPD to find out the exact time and location that the rescue occurred and is awaiting a response.