Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

Maricopa Sheriff Helicopter Rescues 1 Man From Overturned Truck in Arizona Floodwaters

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

Maricopa Sheriff Helicopter Rescues 1 Man From Overturned Truck in Arizona Floodwaters

Q: How did an Arizona helicopter crew save a man from an overturned truck in rising floodwaters in under five minutes?

An Arizona helicopter crew saved the stranded driver by performing a rapid hoist rescue after floodwaters made any ground approach too dangerous. Deputies found the man sitting on top of his overturned truck in a flooded wash near 327th Avenue and Salome Highway in Tonopah, with fast-moving water rising around the vehicle. Fire crews could talk to him but could not safely reach him from shore, so the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fox 1 aviation team was called in. Video released by authorities shows a rescue specialist lowered about 80 feet from the helicopter to the truck. In difficult, turbulent conditions, she reached the vehicle, secured herself and the man with a rescue harness, and both were then hoisted back up to the aircraft. The helicopter flew them to the riverbank, where waiting fire crews took over. Officials said the entire rescue took less than five minutes once the hoist operation began. Pilot Rich Dickner said the crew moved with urgency because the water level was climbing quickly—from below the truck’s window to near the top of it—leaving very little time before the situation became even more dangerous. The rescue underscored repeated warnings from Arizona authorities: drivers should not try to cross flooded roads or washes, because even shallow, fast-moving water can overturn vehicles and turn a routine crossing into a life-threatening emergency.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 1

Fox 1 aviation crews hoisted a stranded driver off an overturned truck in a flooded wash in Tonopah on Tuesday morning, carrying him by helicopter to a riverbank where fire personnel were waiting.
Rising water made a ground approach too dangerous, so rescuers chose a hoist operation after deputies found the man sitting atop the vehicle with fast-moving floodwater rushing around him.
Pilot Rich Dickner said the water climbed from below the truck’s window to the top of it within minutes, underscoring the urgency of the rescue.
Deputy Lindsey Smith was lowered about 80 feet to the truck, secured the man in a harness, and completed the rescue in less than five minutes despite difficulty finding footing.
Historic rainfall tied to remnants of Hurricane Polo has fueled flash flooding across parts of the Desert Southwest, prompting Maricopa County officials to warn drivers: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.