By Bay City News Service:
A man was rescued from raging waters at a regional park near Livermore on Sunday night after his pickup truck drifted into the middle of a creek, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The attached video was taken by an Alameda County Fire Department official who took part in the rescue. It shows the copter hovering dramatically over the truck as the man waves his hands in desperation.
It all began when a CHP helicopter crew based out of Napa County responded to a call from Alameda County firefighters asking for help in rescuing a man who was stranded atop his truck in a creek in Del Valle Regional Park at about 9:20 p.m., CHP officials said.
The creek was swollen from the heavy rains over the weekend.
When the truck was pulled into the creek, the stranded man's daughter called for help and led rescuers to his location.
Rescue swimmers from the Alameda County Fire Department had attempted to save the 58-year-old man, but were unable to because of the fast-moving water, according to the CHP.
By the time the CHP helicopter arrived, the man had been stuck on top of his truck for nearly two hours, CHP officials said.
The truck had drifted several hundred yards from where it had entered the water, and was resting about 50 feet from shore, according to the CHP.
The pilot, Officer Pete Gavitte, lowered the helicopter and rested the left skid on the roof of the pickup, at which point on-board paramedic Matt Gutierrez grabbed the man and pulled him aboard, according to the CHP.
He was transported to ValleyCare Medical Center to be treated for hypothermia. An update on his condition was not immediately available.
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