Man Trapped In Raging Los Angeles River

LOS ANGELES, CA — Firefighters saved a man clinging to a tree in the middle of the raging Los Angeles River. Swift water rescue crews battling strong currents to reach the man and pull him to safety Wednesday morning.

Swollen by the first major rainstorm of the season, powerful currents are creating dangerous river conditions in the in the Atwater Village area.

The trapped man was spotted shortly before 10 a.m. Swift water rescue crews launched a boat to try to safely reach a man approximately a half mile downriver from Colorado Boulevard, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. But the effort was hampered as crews had to work against the current to get to him.

The patient, a man in his 40s, was able to climb into the boat and make it to shore.

"He will be evaluated by LAFD paramedics to address any potential medical needs/transport," Stewart added.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH THE SCREEN FOR UPDATES.