Emergency Response to Creek Bed Incident
Multiple fire departments and law enforcement agencies collaborated on Wednesday evening to rescue a driver from an SUV that landed in a creek bed near Runnells. According to Captain Ryan Evans of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before 7:00 p.m. Initially reported as a water rescue, the correct location was identified as the 9800 block of SE 56th Street, northwest of Runnells.
Details of the Collision and Rescue Effort
Upon arrival, the Pleasant Hill Fire Department found the SUV in a dry creek bed and immediately began treating the driver. Within 10 minutes, first responders had secured and safely transported the driver out of the creek bed. Captain Evans stated that the SUV had been rear-ended, causing it to veer off the road and down the embankment.
Injuries and Collaborative Efforts
Both drivers involved in the collision were taken to metro hospitals by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Updates on their conditions were not available at the time of reporting. The incident saw the cooperation of the Runnells Fire Department, Altoona Fire Department, Pleasant Hill Police and Fire Departments, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, highlighting the community’s robust emergency response capabilities.