SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — One person was found dead and two more were saved by San Diego Fire-Rescue swift water crews in separate rescues overnight Tuesday as another storm battered the region with heavy rain.
The rescues were the only two handled by the department while the strongest part of the atmospheric river moved down south from the Los Angeles area, SDFD spokesperson Mónica Muñoz said Tuesday.
Swift water crews responded to the first rescue after receiving a call from U.S. Customs and Border Protection requesting their help in the recovery of a body seen floating in the swollen Tijuana River Channel near Dairy Mart Road and Camino de la Plaza.
According to SDFD, a South Bay engine and pre-positioned lifeguard teams were sent to the scene. They were able to pull the body out of the water and bring it to the boat launch area, where they were later pronounced deceased.
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A second person was also believed to have been in the area, but SDFD said lifeguards were unable to locate anyone and “determined that the reports were unfounded.”