Dramatic footage captures an Arizona sheriff’s helicopter crew rescuing a man stranded on top of his overturned truck while fast-moving floodwaters surged around the vehicle.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said its Fox 1 aviation crew was called Tuesday morning to a flooded wash in Tonopah. Deputies located the man sitting on the overturned truck as water rushed around him.
In video released by authorities, the man can be seen perched on the truck while muddy floodwaters stream past.
With conditions too dangerous for first responders to approach directly, the crew determined that a “hoist rescue” was the safest way to reach him.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fox 1 aviation crew carries out a hoist rescue after a driver became stranded in rapidly moving floodwaters. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
A Fox 1 crew member was lowered toward the truck, secured the man in a rescue harness and was then lifted back to the helicopter with him.
According to the sheriff’s office, the man was taken to the riverbank, where fire personnel were waiting.
Pilot Rich Dickner told CBS News that the water was rising rapidly around the truck.
“We didn’t waste much time,” Dickner said.
“As opposed to when we first got there, you can see the water line on the video — it’s below the window — and it had risen up to the top of the window,” he continued. “So there was that urgency.”
A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew responds to rescue a man stranded on an overturned truck in Arizona floodwaters. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
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People reported that Deputy Lindsey Smith was lowered about 80 feet from the helicopter to the overturned truck.
The report said Smith initially had difficulty finding her footing before securing herself to the vehicle.
Authorities said the rescue was completed in less than five minutes.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said the crew’s rapid response helped bring the man to safety.
“Thanks to the skill and quick response of our Aviation crew, the subject was safely brought to shore,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Excellent work, Fox 1!”
A stranded driver is hoisted from his overturned truck as floodwaters continue rushing around the vehicle in Tonopah. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
The Weather Channel reported that remnants of Hurricane Polo produced historic rainfall in parts of the Desert Southwest, helping fuel dangerous flash flooding.
The Flood Control District of Maricopa County urged drivers never to attempt crossing flooded roads.
“Remember: Conditions can change fast. If you encounter a flooded roadway, Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
News Media has reached out to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.