Photos: Dramatic water rescue in the CDO Wash north of Tucson
Firefighters from Golder Ranch Fire District and Northwest Fire District rescued three people from one of two vehicles trapped in the swollen Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021. All three were safely extricated from the vehicle and water.
Golder Ranch firefighters originally extended the ladder truck's ladder horizontally to the trapped vehicle, but the rushing water made the vehicle on unstable. So, the decision was made to send a team of five firefighters from Northwest Fire District into the water to rescue the people.
Both vehicles were carried downstream from the road after the rescue was completed.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
A woman looks up at firefighters sitting on Golder Ranch Fire's Ladder 380 during a swift water rescue in the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
A woman climbs out of a Nissan pick-up as Northwest and Golder Ranch firefighters position themselves for a water rescue in the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
A team of five Northwest Fire District firefighters walk a woman away from a stranded pick-up truck in the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
Northwest Fire District firefighters struggle with the water current after extricating a woman from a pick-up truck in the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
Northwest Fire District firefighters carry a girl rescued from a pick-up truck out of the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
A pick-up truck is carried downstream after Northwest Fire District Golder Ranch Fire District firefighters rescued three people trapped inside during a swift water rescue in the Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Swift water rescue, CDO Wash
Pima County Sheriff's deputies watch one of two vehicles inch its way downstream in the swollen Cañada del Oro Wash at Overton Road, just east of La Cholla Blvd. on Aug. 10, 2021.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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