Firefighters rescued an adult male stranded on a ledge above a channel in Buena Park on Sunday morning after he was swept more than a mile downstream in fast-moving water and managed to climb out.
A good Samaritan heard him calling for help and safely dropped a rope to keep him secure until crews arrived.
The responding OCFA firefighters, including swift water rescue resources pre-positioned for the weather event, quickly brought him to safety using the fire truck’s aerial ladder.
The rescued man was transported to a local hospital in stable condition, for evaluation.
The OCFA thanks the Buena Park Police Department for the assistance and the citizen who stepped in to help while keeping themselves safe.
- Drowning Incidents in California: Over 400 drowning deaths and 1,200 non-fatal incidents occur annually across all water environments (pools, rivers, canals, channels). [cawatersafety.org]
- Urban Channels During Storms: Swift water rescue teams in Southern California respond every major rain event because flood-control channels can turn deadly in minutes. Even 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock down an adult, and water speeds in channels can reach 35 mph. [ems1.com]
- Rescue Frequency: For example, Sacramento Metro Fire recorded 54 water rescue calls in one season, up from 43 the previous year, mostly in rivers and channels during high water periods. [folsomtimes.com]
- Seasonal Spike: Incidents surge during heavy rains and flash floods, especially in winter storms and tropical remnants (Cal OES often prepositions swift water rescue teams statewide for these events). [news.caloes.ca.gov]
Why It Happens
- Flood-control channels are smooth, steep, and slippery, making escape almost impossible.
- Sudden water surges from storms or upstream releases catch people off guard.
- Many victims enter channels accidentally or trying to cross during floods.