DATE OF RELEASE: October 4, 2018
Screams for help in the area of the 3200 block of Pebblebrook Rd, West Covina prompted local residents to call West Covina Police Department early Thursday morning, October 4, 2018. Dispatchers received the calls at about 12:19 AM stating they heard the sounds of a man’s voice screaming for help but could not ascertain whether the screams were coming from inside of a residence or outside.
West Covina Officers arrived at the scene and while checking the area, located a man in the Walnut Creek Wash standing in over 2 feet of rushing, rising water who was having difficulty clinging to the wall. Officers developed a plan to use K9 Officer Matt Bowman’s 40 ft long dog leash and lowered it down to the victim instructing him to tie it around his waist to secure him until West Covina Fire Department arrived. Firefighters lowered a helmet and vest which was tethered to a rescue line and secondary line and eventually pulled him up to safety.
The victim, a 24 year old male from West Covina said he originally climbed down into the wash to retrieve a bicycle he saw there. When he entered, waters from the evening’s rain began rushing through the wash, dragging the victim for a short distance until he grabbed onto the wall. Although the victim was weak and cold, he was not injured and was released at the scene. It is unknown how long he had been in the water.
This was another example of excellent teamwork by the West Covina Police and Fire Departments. Their quick actions most likely saved the victim from serious injury or death, as the water in the wash was rising and gaining momentum at the time of the rescue.
Equally as important were our residents who followed the “See Something (or hear something). Say Something” campaign. Their calls got the help the victim needed.
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Information released by:
West Covina Police Department
Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626 939-8500
Web: www.wcpd.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WestCovinaPD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestCovinaPD
Instagram: www.instagram.com/WestCovinaPD
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