Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Four People Rescued From An Island In L.A. River Following Rain Storm
A group of two men and two women were rescued from an island in the L.A. River in Atwater Village early this morning after heavy rain and a swift current left them marooned.
The island in question is situated about a half-mile north of Los Feliz Boulevard, according to the L.A. Times. The group was spotted by a motorist who passed by on the 5 freeway at about 2:45 a.m. and contacted authorities. Over 100 firefighters positioned themselves along the shore as an LAFD swift-water rescue team maneuvered through the river and helped the group into an inflatable boat. The current was rushing along at 35 mph. Power lines in the area prevented LAFD from making a rescue by air, NBC Los Angeles reports.
The victims were treated for exposure, but sustained no serious injuries. They are believed to be transients who occasionally made their home on the island.
LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey tells LAist that this particular rescue was a textbook rescue, but that none of them are particularly easy.
Support for LAist comes from
"The greatest challenge we have is overcoming people's perception that we make the magic happen," he said. "We have a largely jaded public that believes that if they get trapped, someone cals 9-1-1 and we pull them out. I overheard someone talking about this at Starbucks the other day."
The truth, Humphrey said, is that both victims and rescuers put themselves at risk every time a situation like this occurs. LAFD trains year-round for water rescues, and some members go "above and beyond" to achieve special certification and training to become part of LAFD's swift-water rescue teams—teams like the one employed this morning. Even so, there is always the possibility injury or death, so the fewer times these teams have to go out, the better.
While many of the people that the LAFD rescues are transients—which is its own issue— some are explorers. Humphrey wants to remind Angelenos that it is illegal to enter flood control channels any time of year, and that storms make them especially unsafe. Many of the most serious and loss-of-life events occur the day after the storm, so residents are encouraged to suppress any exploratory urges they have today.
PARENTS: With #school out, remind all members of your family not to play or linger near flood control channels: https://t.co/ovGcvNlnxD pic.twitter.com/J2ORwFqhLJ
— #LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) November 21, 2016
California has not always had these swift-water rescue teams. In 1980, a woman named Nancy Riggs lost her fiancé, Earl Higgins, to the L.A. River. It was the day after several rain storms, and the waters were high and fast. The couple spotted a 12-year-old boy struggling in the current, and Higgins jumped in in an attempt to save him. Higgins saved the boy, but drowned in the process. From that point on, Riggs advocated for local water rescue programs, and Humphrey credits Riggs for the "team, tools and training" that LAFD has today.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist