Montgomery, MD - FireFighters rescue multiple people

[somebody509]

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) -- A massive 66-inch, aging water main ruptured Tuesday and sending a wave of water down a suburban Washington road at 150,000 gallons per minute, transforming the street into a raging river and trapping nine motorists who had to be rescued from the frigid deluge by emergency workers in helicopters and boats.

The water gushed down River Road and rocked cars. Two people in a minivan were plucked by helicopter out of the roaring rapids, water crashing and spraying around them as they were lifted to safety in a basket. Other motorists escaped 4-feet deep water by boat.

Montgomery County fire officials said five people were checked for hypothermia; temperatures outside were in the 20s.

"The water tumbled over the car like a wave," said Silvia Saldana, of Springfield, Va., who was traveling to work when she became trapped. "I started to pray."



I've heard at least 10 were rescued, a few by helicopter.
http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/...raw-video.html

for more info^..videos, incident audio, and 911 calls.