Woman Trapped for 15 Hours atop Overturned Pickup in Swollen Creek Rescued by Helicopter

A woman was rescued by a helicopter team on Tuesday morning after being trapped atop her overturned pickup truck in rushing waters for nearly 15 hours. The incident occurred in Northern California, where the woman attempted to cross a swollen creek following recent rains.

California Highway Patrol Air Operations deployed a helicopter to airlift the woman to safety as she was surrounded by rushing waters at a park crossing. Harrowing footage of the rescue showed the helicopter technician using a rescue harness to pull the woman from the car. She was then transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

Despite the challenging circumstances, the woman’s survival was described as remarkable by Shaun Bouyea, a California Highway Patrol flight officer and paramedic. He emphasized that climbing on top of the car ultimately saved her life.

The unexpected rise in creek water levels due to recent rainfall led to the woman’s vehicle being overtaken while attempting to cross the Del Valle creek in Livermore. After spending the night atop the vehicle, she was spotted by a person camping nearby the next morning, prompting the county fire department to request assistance from the California Highway Patrol Air Operations.

The rescue involved multiple emergency agencies, with firefighters initially attempting to reach the woman using a ladder truck before the helicopter team successfully carried out the rescue. A San Ramon Valley Fire Department helicopter rescue technician landed on the vehicle to harness the woman and transport her to safety.

Cheryl Hurd, Alameda County Fire Department public affairs manager, noted that the woman had previously made the crossing but had underestimated the water levels that day. This incident was reminiscent of a similar rescue that took place on the same creek in 2012, when a man became stranded atop his vehicle.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by flooded creeks and the importance of exercising caution, especially after heavy rainfall. Professional rescue teams, such as the California Highway Patrol Air Operations, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of individuals in such situations.