Tucson FD responds to three separate swiftwater calls

TUCSON, Ariz. (CBS, KYMA) - The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) posted videos to their Facebook page showing their crews responding to three separate swiftwater calls within less than a half hour Monday night.

TFD said they responded to the first call before 5 p.m. From there, they found the driver sitting on top of a vehicle in moving water, prompting them to use an aerial ladder to "safety rescue the driver."

After 5 p.m., TFD said they responded to a second call of a "submerged vehicle being swept toward Speedway Boulevard with someone still inside."

However, TFD said, "The driver was then swept down the Alamo Wash," and with the help of a neighbor, crews were able to pull the driver from the water, and the driver was taken to the hospital.

Then, at around 5:10 p.m., TFD responded to a third call of a person "being actively swept away," and said, "The person was able to climb out of the water with help from security guards," but was taken to the hospital.

"These calls happened quickly, all in less than 30 minutes, highlighting how fast conditions can become dangerous during heavy rain," TFD said.

The department reminds the community that these conditions can happen fast and conditions quickly turn dangerous during heavy rainfall.

"Never drive or walk through moving or flooded water. Turn around and find another route. Even shallow, fast-moving water can sweep away a vehicle or a person," the post added.