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YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. – Flash floods in the Yucca Valley area on Saturday evening kept San Bernardino County Firefighters busy conducting several rescues and one recovery.

Firefighters responded to the wash near Barron Drive and Yucca Mesa Road at around 5:30 p.m. When they arrived they located the vehicle upside down covered by running water. Two of the three occupants were able to self extricate, while the third occupant, an elderly man, remained in the vehicle. “Due to the force of the flood waters and the fact that the vehicle had been submerged for an extended period, an in-water search of the vehicle was deemed too hazardous,” said San Bernardino County Fire Spokesman Eric Sherwin. “A search was conducted downstream by fire personnel in case the victim had freed himself.”

Shortly after at 6:15 p.m., units from the Yucca Mesa Road incident were called to another rescue around a ½ mile up the wash. Fire officials learned that the vehicle had attempted to cross the roadway and was pushed into the flash flood. The vehicle was located at Paradise Valley Park with water up to the windows. All of the windows were fogged up but the firefighters were able to see movement inside the vehicle.“With swift water rescue resources already committed to other responses in the area, Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle assumed incident command and ordered a helicopter from San Bernardino County Sheriff to assist in the effort,” said Sherwin. “The patrol helicopter, which was staffed with a swift water rescue technician, was able to access the sole occupant of the vehicle and affect the rescue.” The victim was treated by County Fire paramedics and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Firefighters returned to the Yucca Mesa Road incident when the movement of the water decreased. The vehicle was removed from the wash and the third occupant was located inside deceased.