Heroes of the Week: Norwood, Mass. Fire Department Rescue Driver in Flooded Street

Firefighters in Norwood, Massachusetts are this week's heroes. After heavy rains flooded roadways throughout eastern New England, some drivers didn't heed the flood and became trapped in floodwaters. One driver managed to get out of their submerged car and hold onto a tree until firefighters could send a diver to rescue them. The Lesson: Don't drive through flooded roads!   Here's the story.

 

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)

Firefighters Rescue Driver hanging from tree after vehicle was  submerged 

The driver was unable to swim and held on to the tree until they were rescued by first responders.

By Dialynn Dwyer, Boston Com, and Norwood Fire Dept/ January 10, 2024

A driver escaped flood waters by clinging onto a tree in Norwood after their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters early Wednesday morning.

Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street just before 5:30 a.m. for a report of a vehicle in the water. At the scene, they found the vehicle was fully submerged.

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)

According to the fire department, the driver had been able to get out of the car before first responders arrived but was unable to swim and resorted to hanging from a tree instead.

“Firefighters quickly deployed a rescue swimmer in a survival suit to remove the person who was then transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” the fire department said.

(Photo: Norwood fire and police responded to Upland Road near Washington Street, Norwood to rescue a driver. Credit: Norwood Fire Dept.)