Rising water from heavy rains and snowmelt knocked out a culvert that trapped three elderly women, including a 104-year-old, in their Squaw Valley area home until Fresno County sheriff's deputies could rescue them Friday, Sheriff John Zanoni told reporters. And it wasn't the only rescue. CalFire Capt. Dustin Hail said...
Man Among Four Rescued After Tesla Plunged off CA Cliff Arrested for Attempted Murder
The driver of a car that plunged off a cliff in Northern California, seriously wounding two children and a second adult after the 250-foot drop, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Dharmesh A. Patel of Pasadena will be booked into...
A High Sierra Creek Fire Rescue Fit for an Opera
Harlan Hays wanted to unwind and disconnect from society for the weekend. "I looked forward to not having cell phone service," Hays said. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn't been kind to his job as a singer with the San Francisco Opera. Listen to this article: With friend and fellow opera singer...
Rescuers in Military Helicopters Fly 207 People to Safety in Creek Fire
Rescuers in military Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters airlifted at least 207 people to safety after an explosive wildfire trapped them at Mammoth Pool late Saturday night. The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues, which continued overnight. Two campers refused...
3 Men Rescued From Pacific Island After Writing SOS in Sand
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above, authorities say. The men had been missing in the Micronesia archipelago for nearly three days when their distress signal was spotted Sunday...
Deputy Recovering, Suspect Identified in Foothills Shooting
Fresno County authorities Wednesday identified the suspected rifleman in the wounding of a sheriff's deputy. Michael Congdon, 57, was arrested Tuesday afternoon after an hours-long standoff in Tollhouse. He surrendered after talking with negotiators. The injured deputy, John Erickson, 49, underwent surgery for internal injuries and a broken leg at Community Regional...
Notre Dame's Treasures Spared from Blaze After Frantic Rescue
PARIS — An inferno that raged through Notre Dame Cathedral for more than 12 hours destroyed its spire and its roof but spared its twin medieval bell towers, and a frantic rescue effort saved the monument's "most precious treasures," including the Crown of Thorns purportedly worn by Jesus, officials said...
Video Shows Helicopter Rescue of 2 Hikers in Yosemite
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — The California Highway Patrol has released video of the dramatic rescue of two British tourists who were trapped on the edge of a massive granite cliff overlooking the Yosemite Valley. The video above shows a CHP helicopter crew pulling up the two unidentified men one by one from...
Boy Swept in Sewer Sticks Finger out of Manhole and Is Saved
MADISON, Wis. — An 11-year-old boy sucked into a flooded Wisconsin storm sewer was saved when an eagle-eyed firefighter saw the boy's fingers pop through an opening in a manhole cover. The astonishing rescue Tuesday evening came as storms pounded the southern half of the state and southeastern Minnesota. The...
US Rescuer Reveals Details of 'Once in a Lifetime' Thai Cave Mission
MAE SAI, Thailand — The Thai boys saved from a flooded cave endured dives in zero visibility lasting up to half an hour. In places, they were put into harnesses and high-lined across rocky caverns, said a leader of the U.S. contingent involved in the operation, calling it a "once...