Virginia Department Completes Water Rescue

April 11, 2003
The call came in at 20:18, Thursday, April 10, a vehicle accident with people trapped inside, vehicle dangling over embankment, partially submerged in raging waters.
WWBT News - Richmond, VA

The call came in at 20:18, Thursday, April 10, a vehicle accident with people trapped inside, vehicle dangling over embankment, partially submerged in raging waters.

Henrico County, along with the rest of Virginia had received several inches of rain in the already saturated environment. Thursday, a deluge of rain fell accompanied by high winds with strong gusts.

Many roads were closed due to flooding. Creeks and drainage ditches had heaved their banks. Fallen trees and downed power lines dotted the landscape. Driving conditions were very hazardous.

"Engine 13 arrived on the scene first. After viewing the situation an immediate call for assistance was issued. Truck Company 12, a ladder truck, and dive and rescue combined forces," said Captain Joseph Kameros, Station 17,Dive and Rescue.

A BMW had hydroplaned on the flooded road, struck a mini-van which it sent spinning and over an embankment. The vehicle was partially submerged in a ravine with raging water 4-6ft deep.

They were near a culvert which passed under the road and posed a constant threat of danger. "The vehicle was vertical,

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