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.
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.”
According to CBP, the decedent was attempting to cross the border through the Tijuana River Channel, west of the San Ysidro Port. Their body was handed over to San Diego police and the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.
Shortly after, at about 2 a.m., SDFD swift water crews were dispatched to another rescue in the area of the San Diego River near 8865 Rio San Diego Dr. According to the department, two people were located along the waterway’s south bank.
Lifeguards were able to access the victims by boat and transport them to shore, SDFD said. No injuries were reported to either individual.
With heavy rains expected to continue into Tuesday afternoon, Muñoz says swift water crews will remain in the field throughout the day, should crews need to respond to any additional rescues.