Story at a glance
- A 35-year-old woman was swept away by rushing water in the Los Angeles River after a brief but intense rainstorm.
- Rescuers tried throwing a flotation device and lowering a ladder.
- They ultimately used a helicopter to lower a rescuer down to grab the woman, who was then treated for minor injuries.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KTLA) – A 35-year-old woman is recovering after being swept away by fast-moving water in the Los Angeles River, prompting a tense air rescue by first responders Sunday.
Crews with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to calls about the incident near Laurel Canyon Boulevard at around 5 p.m. just after a brief but intense rainstorm, department officials said.
It is unclear exactly how the woman ended up in the river, but according to officials, she was first spotted in the flood control channel near Whitsett Avenue where less than knee-deep water was moving at speeds estimated at around 15 miles per hour. Rescuers threw her a flotation device as she moved slowly downstream toward Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
The woman was reportedly able to stand up at one point but was again swept away by the rushing water.
Firefighters then lowered a portion of a 24-foot wooden ladder along the vertical concrete wall of the channel, but the current was too much, and she was swept a short distance downstream, authorities said.
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA) 
L.A. firefighters rescue a woman swept away in the storm-flooded L.A. River on Mar. 24, 2024. (KTLA)
After several tense moments, an LAFD helicopter crew lowered a rescuer down by hoist who was able to grab the woman as she was in the middle of the channel. She was pulled to safety aboard the aircraft where authorities said she received treatment for minor injuries and hypothermia.
She was flown to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Firefighters said the woman reported that no other persons or animals were with her at the time she was swept away.