Man Clinging To Power Pole Rescued From Four Mile Run Creek

Arlington Fire and Rescue units responded early Monday morning to the report of a man clinging to the concrete base of a power pole in the middle of Four Mile Run Creek. They received the call around 3:45 a.m. from Arlington County Police, which was conducting an investigation nearby, according Fire and Rescue spokesman Capt. Jason Tirelli.

Earlier in the morning, police had responded to the 2200 block of S. Eads Street to a domestic abuse report of a man attacking two women, according to Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage. Upon arrival, officers determined that it was not a domestic abuse situation and put out a lookout call for the man who had fled the scene.

Police found the man sitting in a car nearby. When officers attempted to engage the individual, he fled the scene in his car at a high rate of speed. Eventually, the vehicle ran into some large rocks along Four Mile Run. The man exited the vehicle and jumped into the creek. Officers saw him clinging to the concrete base of a power pole in the middle of the creek. They then requested a water rescue from Arlington Fire and Rescue.

"We had to assemble a water rescue team, which is always in service 24/7," Tirelli said.

When units arrived on the scene at S. Four Mile Run and S. Glebe Road, they confirmed one subject was in the water.

"We were able to get the boats in the water and bring the guy back to shore to a waiting ambulance," Tirelli said.

After rescuers assessed the man, he was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. According to Savage, while ACPD has not charged the suspect at this time, charges are pending.

Five Fire and Rescue units responded to the scene and the entire rescue was wrapped up in about 25-30 minutes.

The Fire and Rescue Department posted updates about the rescue on Twitter.