Teens rescued from truck in flooded creek

On Sunday, Jan. 31, at 6:29 p.m., firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, Elfin Forest Fire fire department, and Encinitas Fire Department responded to a report of three males trapped in a car in Escondido Creek at Suerte Del Este in Elfin Forest.

Upon arrival they found a pick-up truck had been swept downstream and turned over on its side approximately 150 yards off the roadway. The occupants, three teenage males, had safely exited the vehicle, after rolling on its side twice and were sitting on it awaiting rescue. Swift water rescue crews from Cal Fire and Encinitas Lifeguards were able to first secure the victims with life safety equipment and then return them to dry land via a rescue raft. The teens were checked by paramedics on scene and determined to be uninjured. They were released to their parents.

“The water was only 2 to 4 feet deep at the time,” noted RSFFPD Battalion Chief Bret Davidson. “But 2 to 4 feet of moving water is all it takes. It is important for the public to not enter water crossings with their vehicles during the rain. Water one to two feet deep can sweep cars off the road and be fatal. Please be careful and turn around and go an alternate route. The risk to you and your family is not worth it.

The mission of the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District is “To protect life, property, and environment through prevention, preparedness, education and emergency response.” Formed in 1946, the Fire District now spans approximately 38-square miles and protects over 29,000 citizens. The Fire District currently operates out of four full-time fire stations and serves the communities within and surrounding Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, and 4S-Ranch.