2 kids, cop rescued from Pacoima wash
Published: March 13, 2005
Two children and a San Fernando police officer who tried to save them all were rescued Saturday evening from the fast-moving waters of the Pacoima wash by Los Angeles firefighters, a fire official said.
City firefighters were called about 6:39 p.m. Saturday to the waters near the 12900 block of Foothill Boulevard, where the officer and two children were being washed downstream, said Jim Wells of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“(The children) were very fortunate to be seen, and for a brave San Fernando policeman to risk his life to save theirs,” Wells said, adding that about 55 firefighters participated in the rescue of the trio.
The names of those involved had not been released.
Officials believe the two boys, ages 10 and 13, had been trying to walk their bikes across the wash when they were swept into the swift-moving waters, Wells said. The police officer jumped in to save them and the trio ended up swept nearly two miles away to near the Golden State Freeway and Paxton Street.
Firefighters rescued one of the children using a hoist, and rescued the police officer and the other boy by lowering ladders with ropes, Wells said.
Although the water was only 8 to 12-inches deep, it was moving at 15 to 20 mph, and the slippery bottom of the wash further complicated rescue attempts, Wells said.
“That’s why we tell people to stay away from the wash, regardless of the depth of the water or what it appears to be,” Wells said. “It’s against the law to be in the wash anyway, at any time, whether it’s wet or dry.”
The two boys and the officer were taken to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia and minor abrasions.
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