February 12, 2025 – Imperial County Sheriff's Office officials report that on December 19, 2024, at about 6:50 p.m., the Imperial County Sheriff's Office received a report of a vehicle submerged inside a canal near Highway 115 and Norrish Road outside of Holtville. Deputies responded to the scene and located a vehicle resting on its roof inside the canal, partially submerged. 

Deputy David Romero and a member of the Holtville Fire Department could hear subjects yelling for help from inside of the vehicle. Deputy Romero and Firefighter Flores immediately entered the chest deep water using a rope. They gained access to the vehicle and were able to safely extricate a subject who was unable to free himself. The subject was brought safely to shore and turned over to medical personnel on scene. Deputy Romero and Firefighter Flores' quick, decisive actions saved the subjects life from drowning.

View video of rescue here.

Source & photos: Imperial County Sheriff's Office