San Bernardino County Fire rescue team attempts swift-water rescue of 3 people in Devore

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Updated ·2 min read
A powerful, atmospheric river-fueled storm, which began pummeling Southern California on Sunday, flooded roadways and led to a swift-water rescue attempt in the Cajon Pass.
A powerful, atmospheric river-fueled storm, which began pummeling Southern California on Sunday, flooded roadways and led to a swift-water rescue attempt in the Cajon Pass.

A powerful, atmospheric river-fueled storm, pummeling Southern California on Sunday, flooded roadways and led to a swift-water rescue attempt in the Cajon Pass.

At 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, San Bernardino County Fire Department officials responded to a water rescue on Keenbrook Road west of Cajon Boulevard in Devore.

Fire officials stated that a vehicle with three people inside attempted to cross the flooded roadway. First responders arrived to find the people stranded in a tree, while their SUV and attached trailer, were submerged in rapid flood waters.

At about 12:31 a.m. on Monday, the fire department's rescue team was setting up to retrieve the stranded individuals above the fast moving water that carried tree branches and other debris.

'Very dangerous'

Photographer and former firefighter Brandy Carlos, known as FirePhotoGirl on the social media platform X, said the swift water rescue scene did not look good and seemed “very dangerous."

Carlos' videos showed two partially submerged vehicles and a boxed trailer in raging water.

At 1:38 a.m., Carlos said, "They still have not been able to rescue anyone. Water levels are so high and moving so fast. This is one of the most difficult rescues I’ve ever witnessed."

Carlos reported at 2:15 a.m. that first responders were able to make contact with all three people but were still trying to find a safe access point to get them out.

"One person is starting to have health difficulties," Carlos said.

The three individuals were eventually rescued, with fire personnel saying they were very fortunate to have made it out alive.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.  

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: San Bernardino County Fire rescue team attempts swift-water rescue