A California family’s holiday became a real-life horror movie after a monstrous winter storm turned their quiet mountain home into a stranded island — forcing heroes to perform a death defying rescue to save a tiny infant.
Dramatic footage captured the heart-stopping moment first responders in Placer County used a fire truck ladder as a makeshift bridge to slide a baby, strapped into a car seat, over the churning rapids of the South Yuba River over the weekend.
The unique rescue unfolded near the Donner Pass — a region infamous for its brutal winters — after the river burst its banks during a relentless “atmospheric river” event that has slammed Northern California with significant rainfall.
Rescuers extended a ladder from the fire engine across to bridge the surging gap of a home that was surrounded by a gushing torrent of water, carefully gliding the child across the metal rungs to safety.
The Truckee Fire Protection District said that the occupants of the house were unable to leave after the river swelled, and no injuries were reported. Officials reminded the public to avoid being near the water and not to drive through through the floodwaters as they are subject to rapid changes as the rain comes down.
The daring save came as the powerful storm turned deadly elsewhere in the state. In Redding, at least one person was killed as life threatening flooding swamped streets.
The region remains under flood watch through Christmas, with meteorologists predicting more rounds of rain to hammer the area, potentially ruining holiday travel plans for many. For one family, though, the holiday has already brought miracles thanks to the quick-thinking crews and sturdy fire ladder.
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