3 Rescued From Rushing Valley Flood Channel, 4th Escapes On His Own: LAFD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Four people escaped rushing water in a San Fernando Valley flood channel Thursday morning, including one who was rescued by firefighters in a dramatic operation involving a helicopter and aerial ladder.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the Pacoima Wash under Parthenia Street at around 9 a.m. in North Hills.

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Firefighters initially rescued a woman from the water. She was in stable condition and was expected to be taken to a local hospital by paramedics, according to the LAFD.

Crews also confirmed that a man was in the water farther downstream and positioned firefighters to attempt another rescue. The man was located in the rushing water and rescued by an LAFD helicopter at around 9:32 a.m., according to the department.

Aerial video captured by KTLA showed an LAFD rescuer being lowered from a helicopter into the muddy water to reach the man. The rescuer secured the man, and both were hoisted into the helicopter as the water rushed beneath them.

The man was being transported directly to a local hospital by helicopter, according to the LAFD. His condition was not immediately released.

As firefighters continued searching the channel, a third person was spotted clinging to a bridge support near Saticoy Street.

Footage aired by KTLA showed the man standing in waist-deep water and holding onto the structure as firefighters worked to reach him from above.

At 9:55 a.m., the LAFD confirmed that a firefighter had been lowered from an aerial ladder and pulled the man to safety from the bridge support.

His condition was not immediately known.

Bystanders told firefighters there may have been four people in the water, prompting crews to continue searching for a possible fourth victim.

At 10:12 a.m., the LAFD confirmed that the fourth person had safely escaped the water before firefighters arrived.

With all four people accounted for, firefighters concluded the rescue operation.

"No further victims are suspected to be in the water after three total rescues," the department said in its final update.