Texas officers rescue infant from car trapped in floodwaters

View image in fullscreen

Video shows officers and firefighters surrounding a white car partially submerged in fast-moving water

Authorities in Texas rescued an infant on Saturday after a vehicle became trapped in floodwaters in Beeville, south of San Antonio.

Video released on Sunday by the Beeville police department showed officers and firefighters surrounding a white car that was partially submerged in fast-moving water. As one first responder approached the car, a distressed man in the vehicle asked: “Can you get my kid?”

The first responder replied, saying: “Yeah give me the baby” and reached through the passenger-side window toward the infant.

As the first responder pulled the infant in the baby carrier from the vehicle, the driver yelled: “Cover him, cover him!” Another responder quickly draped a high-visibility jacket over the baby carrier after he was safely carried to the curb and placed in a grassy area.

According to police, the incident occurred after rapid rainfall overwhelmed a low-water crossing. Authorities said the storm grew so quickly that barricades had not yet been placed near the crossing.

“As the vehicle approached the crossing, the fire chief attempted to wave the driver down to stop them from entering the water, but the driver did not see him in time,” the police department said, adding that nobody was hurt during the rescue.

It went on to caution: “Situations like this are a reminder that flood water is nothing to gamble with. It does not take much moving water to push a vehicle off the roadway, and by the time you realize how dangerous it is, it can already be too late.”

“If barricades are up around a roadway or crossing, please do not drive around them. They are there for a reason. Going around barricades not only puts lives at risk, but it is also a criminal offense,” the police department added.

Police urged drivers to slow down during heavy rainfall, steer clear of flooded roads, and remain especially careful near creek crossings and other areas prone to flooding, saying: “No errand, shortcut, or destination is worth risking your life or your family’s safety.”

• Texas
• news