Firefighters To The Rescue As Flood Waters Sweep Teenager and His Car From Roadway

Salem Fire Department

(Salem) - A Salem teenager and his vehicle were swept 40-yards off the roadway by fast moving flood waters Sunday night just after 11:00 PM in the 5000 block of Riverside Drive South.

Crews from two of Salem Fire`s engine companies found the young male stranded on the top of his vehicle that had been washed off of the roadway by the swift floodwaters. Salem Firefighters say the victim was unable to get back to safety on his own.

After using lights to illuminate the scene, members of the Swift Water Rescue team were suited up and an action plan was developed to extricate the victim from his predicament.

Engine-7 crews proceeded into the water. The victim's car was approximately 40 yards into the water and located off the road in the center of the fast moving water.

Firefighters made contact with the victim applied safety gear to him and they made their way back to safety. The victim was placed aboard Engine 7 and all personnel retreated from the water.

The teenager, whose name was not available, was transported to Salem Hospital.