LAWRENCE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- First responders found themselves saving two people who ended up in a flooded Lawrence County creek Friday morning.
Lawrence County Fire and Rescue (LCFR) said units were dispatched at approximately 6:20 a.m. on Friday, March 15 to a report of a vehicle that was swept away from a low-water bridge over Hurricane Creek by floodwater on Gieske Road in the South East Fire District. Initial information from Lawrence County E-911 indicated two people were trapped in the vehicle.
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According to officials, two members of the South East Fire Department and a sergeant from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office were the first on scene, where they navigated through a wooded area and found the pickup truck about 650 feet downstream from the bridge.
The three first responders arrived with limited equipment to find and assist one victim who was trying to make it to shore, but the current pulled the victim underwater. LCFR said the sergeant immediately got into the water and grabbed the victim and then the two firefighters from helped them to shore.
Moments later, two swift water rescue personnel from LCFR arrived at the scene to help rescue the second victim, officials said. One member swam from the bank to the victim and attached a flotation device and safety ropes while the other member deployed safety rope lines and throw bags to them.
LCFR said more of its swift water personnel, as well as a five-person rescue team from the Lawrenceburg Fire Department, arrived to assist with the rescue of the second victim, ensuring that downstream safeties equipped with throw bags were in place.
During this process, the truck had started to drift again and crews needed to get the victim to shore immediately, but the victim was "physically unable to assist with the rescue," so a second rescuer got into the water and helped get the victim to shore safely while personnel on the bank controlled the safety ropes that were attached to the victim and rescuers, according to officials. As a result, the victim was brought to the shore without further incident.
First responders reportedly brought both victims back to the road, where they were turned over to EMS for treatment. There is no word on their conditions at this time.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/7Ma8plG
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