Becky Robinette Wright
Special to Firehouse.Com News
Torrential downpours from Sunday through Memorial Day Monday, caused extremely dangerous conditions on roadways. Some areas in central Virginia received up to seven inches of rain.
With the ground already saturated, a nightmare scenario was created. Motorists were stranded and firefighters were handling calls one after another.
Lt. Amy Vest of Station 3, Bensley, recently promoted to that rank, got to execute her skills in a big way. Her fast thinking and the excellent teamwork of Station 3 saved the lives of two trapped civilians. Dale Station 11 was also on the scene and a factor in the rescue.
The call came in 4:19 a.m. at 5000 Jessup Road. Chesterfield's Scuba Team was already on another call and there wasn't anytime to waste.
Bensley #3 swung into action.Two civilians were trapped on top of their car and the roadway was quickly eroding. "It looked like Niagra Falls," Vest said.
Lt. Vest described the operation. The man and woman were on top the car clinging to it. The powerful surge of water was destroying the roadway and culvert pipes.The car was hanging by one tire and a part of the bumper was resting on the culvert pipe. Everything under the car was eroding because of the intensity of the rushing waters.
Truck 37 had to back down the road. Because of the hairpin curves and narrow road, along with the high swollen waters. There was no place to turn around.
With the aerial ladder extended over the car, the victims were tethered and a basket lowered to them. A few minutes after the rescue, the car and what was left of the road were swept away.The vehicle was later found downstream about 100 yards, smashed into a tree.
Because of the extreme situation in Chesterfield, a call had been issued to Henrico FD requesting assistance. Henrico Dive & Rescue, from their Station 17, and Search & Rescue from Station 2, Henrico, responded.
Station 2 had responded with Engine 2 and Search & Rescue 2. Three dive members accompanied the apparatus. "Upon arriving at the scene, our call was cancelled," said Captain John Page of Station 2. "We then headed back so our area would be covered."
Station 17 was at the scene but the rescue was already completed and they were reserved as back up.
"The aerial operators were superb. They were literally operating at the outer limits," Vest said.
The man and woman had a cell phone with them and while trapped had called 911. "The rescue took about 20-25 minutes after 37 got to the scene," Vest stated.
