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California woman survives on top of submerged car for 15 hrs after heavy rain; WATCH
The California woman was forced to swim in the chilly waters and climb onto the top of the car after the vehicle overturned due to floodwaters.
A California woman was rescued on Tuesday after she was trapped for almost 15 hours atop her overturned car in the rushing waters of a creek, Fox Weather reported.
A storm battered the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday night and Monday, bringing heavy downpour. Due to the rains, the soil became so saturated that runoff resulted in flash floods.
The incident took place on Monday when the woman tried to cross a flooded road in the 7000 block of Del Valle Road in Livermore at around 7:30 pm, according to the Alameda County Fire Department. She underestimated the water's depth and let her car get washed away.
"The water was significantly rapid when we arrived. I can only imagine that last night it was flowing a little heavier," Battalion chief Kent Carlin told KTVU FOX 2.
California Highway Patrol called for assistance
The woman was forced to swim in the chilly waters and climb onto the top of the car after the vehicle overturned due to floodwaters. The victim was unable to contact for help because she had lost her cell phone.
“During that time that her vehicle overturned in the water, she lost her phone and all other important items not to mention it was a bad coverage area anyway,” Carlin said.
Later, the fire department requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The victim was placed inside a rescue harness after a San Ramon Valley Fire rescue team member was lowered to the car using a rope.
“The weather cooperated, allowing CHP helicopter to do a short lift, successfully getting the woman (out) of the water,” ACFD told Nexstar’s KRON.
Victim suffered minor injuries and hypothermia
The woman was then rushed to a nearby hospital. She has suffered minor injuries and hypothermia, the fire department informed.
“She was actually in good spirts and was talking coherently to us,” Carlin said, adding that “I imagine initially when this happened it was pretty shocking.”
"You could tell from her condition that she was cold, her hands were discolored, you know she’d been there overnight," the officer added.
