Fort Bragg Emergency Services Rescued 5 Motorists Trapped by Rain Swollen River

Media Release from Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - High water levels in the Sandhills region, due to Tropical Storm Andrea and early summer rains, stranded five motorists in a vehicle attempting to cross an over washed bridge on Fort Bragg June 9, and has prompted Fort Bragg Emergency Services officials to call for greater vigilance from motorists.

Fort Bragg Fire and Emergency Services units Engine-31, Rescue-2, Battalion 2 were dispatched to John Neil Shaw Road Bridge June 9, 2013, at approximately 6:15 p.m., to respond to reports of five individuals stranded on the top of a vehicle in swift water, said Scott McGuire, Fort Bragg Fire Department battalion chief.

Once on the scene, responders called for a boat team to assist in the recovery of the stranded motorists.  All five were safely removed from the water way and returned to shore where they were turned over to military police.

None of the motorists were injured or requested treatment at the scene.

“This situation highlights the importance of safe, defensive driving and common sense on Fort Bragg, particularly for those travelling in the training areas,” said Tom McCollum, Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs Officer.

With the recent heavy rains, and forecast for more precipitation in the coming days, McCollum said, Fort Bragg urges everyone driving on post to avoid driving through water, to not drive through moving water, and if your vehicle stalls in high water, immediately abandon it and move to higher ground.

“If you think the situation is unsafe, then it probably is,” McCollum said.

Video of the over washed bridge is available here.

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