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.
2 Teens Rescued From L.A. River, May Have Been Playing Hooky
Two teens who may have decided to hide from school police in the L.A. River had to be rescued by the fire department Friday afternoon.
The girl and boy became trapped in the L.A. River wash under Laurel Canyon Bridge in Pacoima under the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway just before 4 p.m.
Monica Carazo, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Unified School District told NBC 4 that they apparently chose the spot to evade school police. (Although surely school was out by then?)
According to Erik Scott of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the girl said she fell in and the boy dove in to help her.
Support for LAist comes from
Fortunately, the water was only shin-deep but the teens were unable to get out on their own.
A female Los Angeles Unified School District police officer suffered minor injuries while trying to rescue the students before the paramedics arrived, Scott told City News Service. She was taken to a nearby hospital in "good condition."
Rescuers tried a few different methods to rescue the teens, according to NBC. First, officers on either side of the river held the ends of a rope for the teens to grab onto. Then, firefighters lowered a ladder and a rescuer climbed down to grab the teens, who were then able to climb to safety.
The pair was rescued at about 4:30 p.m. and taken to a hospital as a precaution, Scottsaid.
#breaking @Sky5Tim @Helo_Photog River Rescue 2 teens trapped LA River near 118 Fwy/Pacoima LAPD was chasing teens pic.twitter.com/vspOVTgLeg
— Tara Finestone (@tarawallis) October 25, 2013
UPDATE, 4:27 p.m., We were able to talk with Eric French, LAFD public service officer, who told LAist that this kind of thing "happens every winter."
The department's swift-water rescue wasn't called on because the issue was not fast-running water, but that the teens were unable to get out of the channel. "The section there is vertical, concrete walls,"he explained. "There was just no way for them to exit the river."
Support for LAist comes from
He couldn't cite statistics, but several people have to be rescued each year from various points along the river.
"Every time it rains, or every time there's significant rainfall, we usually will staff up swift water rescue teams and station at strategic points on la river or good access points, and prepared for anyone or anything to go in." That includes dogs. There was a well-publicized rescue of a dog from the river a few years ago.
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