Westminster Water Rescue

Photo Courtesy of Mike Melton

On June 28th, 2012 just after 14:00 Westminster Fire Department responded to a vehicle into Hidden Lake at W. 69th Ave. & Yates St. A 911 caller reported that an occupied vehicle went into the lake with possibly 3 parties inside. Another 911 caller reported 2 parties were on shore and a one being pulled from the fast sinking vehicle. Crews arrived quickly with divers on board, Battalion 3 arrived on scene and reported one victim on shore and reports of no other victims on board. Command was established and divers were put into the water to conduct primary searches and start the removal operations of the vehicle. Firefighters used airbags and the help of some local citizens with a private boat to secure and bring the SUV close enough to a nearby boat ramp where it was pulled out by a heavy tow truck. This incident appears to be a suicide attempt, and the driver also tried to fight off the rescuer who broke out the back drivers side window to perform the rescue. The vehicle was clear of any other victims and out of the water within 90 minutes. No other injuries were reported.

Units on Scene: Battalion 3, Dive 1, Truck 2, Engine 1, Engine 5, Ambulance 2 & Ambulance 6

Westminster Police Department & Connolly’s Towing