A man trapped in his SUV in Pantano Wash was freed from the vehicle by Tucson firefighters during a swift water rescue late Thursday night, authorities said.
The driver called 911, shortly before 11 p.m., saying that water was coming into his vehicle and he was scared he was going to die, said Tucson Fire Department spokesman, Capt. Barrett Baker.
Tucson and Rincon Valley Fire crews responded to the area of Pantano Wash and Valencia Road, approaching it from both side. Rescuers were able to extend a ladder to the SUV, and two firefighters walked out to the vehicle, and helped the man onto the ladder, Baker said.
No one was injured and the man was freed from the vehicle about 20 minutes after the 911 call was made.
The vehicle was still in the wash late last night, as water levels needed to drop before it could be towed out, Baker said.
It's unclear if there was any signage indicating that the wash was flooded.
This is the second swift water rescue that TFD has performed in the last five days, Baker said.
