The Kern County Fire Department made a swift water rescue Friday night.
Officials said just before 11:00 p.m. KCFD received a call for two people trapped in a Chevy Crew Cab pickup truck surrounded by fast moving flood waters near Caliente Bodfish Rd and Bealville Rd. There were two people in the back of the pickup truck surrounded by rapidly moving water up to the windows of the pickup.
Due to the instability of the pickup and the high current of water flowing around the pickup, Helicopter 408 was started to perform a safe rescue.
KCFD firefighters were able to get life vest and helmets to both of the stranded motorists to provide safety in the event the truck was swept away.
Additional KCFD personnel were sent down stream with rope bags as a precaution, while other KCFD personnel set up lighting to provide better visibility for the hoist rescue.
Helicopter 408 was able to safely remove both patients to dry land. Both patients were checked for possible hypothermia and refused transport to the hospital.
KCFD advises to never cross flowing water. Currents can be moving much faster than they appear.
