Baby, 2 Adults Become Trapped Amid RivCo's Weekend Thunderstorm

RIVERSIDE, CA — Riverside firefighters rescued two adults and an infant who became trapped on a sand bar in the Santa Ana River Bottom just outside city limits Sunday.

Thunderstorms and rain in nearby foothills Sunday afternoon caused the river to swell with water, cutting off the couple and their child who were at Anza Narrows Martha McClean Park.

Riverside Fire Department firefighters responded at 5:42 p.m. to rescue the trio, said Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst.

"Water rescue personnel had to enter the water using a rescue boat to make access to the trapped couple with infant," Vanderhorst said.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office also provided a rescuer on the sandbar and helped walk the adults and infant to safety without having to cross the river.

Between 20 and 30 people were in the river bottom area when it began to fill, he said. No injuries were reported.