Gallinas Assistant Fire Chief Moises Coca requested New Mexico National Guard assistance after two occupants of a Ford F-150 became stranded on top of the vehicle in hazardous floodwaters near the intersection of County Road A20 and Paco Road.
Source: New Mexico National Guard (via Facebook)
By Hank Minitrez, New Mexico National Guard Public Affairs Director
Photos: Courtesy
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. — New Mexico National Guard swift-water rescue personnel successfully rescued two people stranded atop a submerged pickup truck in Ojitos Fríos Creek in San Miguel County on Sept. 30.
Gallinas Assistant Fire Chief Moises Coca requested New Mexico National Guard assistance after two occupants of a Ford F-150 became stranded on top of the vehicle in hazardous floodwaters near the intersection of County Road A20 and Paco Road.
New Mexico National Guard swift-water rescue personnel responded to the scene and safely extracted both occupants from the vehicle.
Gallinas Fire requested the Guard’s specialized swift-water rescue capability to help safely extract the two occupants as local emergency responders worked amid dangerous water conditions.
“The swift-water rescue training our personnel receive is critical because these missions leave little room for error,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, adjutant general of New Mexico. “We have made it a priority to build and maintain this capability because we know how quickly flooding can become life-threatening in New Mexico. That training translated directly into two people being brought safely out of a dangerous situation. At the end of the day, protecting the lives of our fellow New Mexicans is what matters most.”
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The San Miguel County rescue is the latest in a series of rescues conducted by New Mexico National Guard personnel this week as heavy rainfall and flooding have affected communities across the state.
With Guard personnel responding to flood-related missions in multiple areas of New Mexico this week, specialized training and high-water rescue capabilities have enabled teams to move quickly when lives are at risk.
The New Mexico National Guard continues to maintain its flood-response posture as conditions warrant and requests for assistance are received.
The successful operation was a coordinated effort involving the Sheridan, Gallinas and Cabo Lucero volunteer fire departments; San Miguel County Office of Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Office; New Mexico National Guard; New Mexico State Police District 2 and NORCOM dispatch; Las Vegas fire and police departments; and AMR Ambulance in Las Vegas.
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