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Report and photos by Zack Newton
On December 3, San Antonio (TX) firefighters responded to a water rescue scenario.
This weekend’s low-pressure system has kept the department busy. At approximately 1030 hours, companies were dispatched to area of 10000 W. Commerce St for a reported water rescue. Engine 35 arrived and were met with a car stuck approximately 100 feet from the water’s edge, with very fast moving water. A Technical Rescue assignment was requested.
Truck Company 35 attempted to reach the vehicle from their side of the bank but was unable to reach the vehicle. Battalion Chief 8-0 arrived on scene and assumed command while companies set up the bucket off of Platform Ladder 11, prepared one of the swift water boats, and sent personnel down river as a safety precaution with throw lines. San Antonio Fire Department Central Dispatch was in contact with the driver of the vehicle and advised them to stay put inside of the vehicle.
Crews were able to reach the rear of the car, bust out the back window of the car with a pike pole, and pull a mother and her six-year old son out and into the bucket of the ladder, and passed them off to awaiting EMS crews. It is believed the High Water Road block was malfunctioning and wasn’t lowered over the road, and San Antonio Public Works responded to the scene.
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