Los Angeles, California – LAFD crews rescued a man from the Los Angeles River and responded to multiple freeway incidents during an overnight storm that swept across the city.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, Air Operations teams executed a helicopter hoist in the early hours of Wednesday morning to save a man who became trapped in a 30-mph current in the L.A. River. Officials described the operation as a technical rescue carried out under hazardous weather conditions.
Simultaneously, fire crews were deployed across several freeway systems to manage technical extractions and major collisions linked to slick roadways and heavy rainfall. Images released by the department show emergency personnel working at crash scenes along rain-soaked highways.
LAFD officials emphasized that members train specifically for swift-water and storm-related rescues. “We don’t just show up — we train specifically for these elements. We train to save lives,” the department said in a public statement.
Authorities are urging residents to stay off flooded roads and avoid storm channels and rivers during rain events. Fast-moving water, even at relatively shallow depths, can quickly overwhelm vehicles and pedestrians.
The storm created hazardous conditions for commuters during the early morning hours, particularly on freeways where standing water contributed to collisions and traffic disruptions. Students and early-shift workers traveling before sunrise may have encountered delays due to emergency response activity.
No additional injuries were immediately reported.
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