Woman Rescued After Sitting on Top of Overturned Car in Calif. Floodwaters for Nearly 15 Hours
The woman attempted to cross flood waters Monday night but underestimated the water's depth, according to the Alameda County Fire Department
A woman was rescued from floodwaters in California earlier this week after spending nearly 15 hours on top of an overturned car.
Authorities responded to the scene at the 7000 block of Del Valle Road in Livermore around 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday after a camper reported seeing the woman on top of the vehicle, according to the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD).
The woman told crews that she attempted to cross flood waters around 7:30 p.m. the night prior but underestimated the water's depth.
ACFD Battalion Chief Kent Carlin said the woman lost her phone “and other important items” after her car overturned in the water, leaving her unable to call for help, according to FOX affiliate KTVU.
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However, the woman was able to swim out of her car and jump on top after the cab became completely submerged in the floodwaters, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Golden Gate Air Division, which assisted with the rescue.
A CHP helicopter was called in to help pluck the woman from her precarious position, the ACFD said.
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Upon arrival, the San Ramon Valley Fire Helicopter Rescue Technician was lowered down to the woman and “placed the victim in a rescue harness,” according to CHP’s Golden Gate Air Division.
Footage of the rescue, shared by the ACFD and CHP, shows a rescuer being lowered down to the car and securing the woman before they are both hoisted into the air.
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After reaching land, the woman was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, CHP’s Golden Gate Air Division said.
Carlin said the woman “was in good spirits” when she was rescued and is now “happy to be out of there,” according to KTVU. He also said the victim is “extremely lucky” that someone saw her and called for help.
“Had there been nobody at the campground, she could have been there for significantly longer,” he explained.
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