10-50 PD

New Hill Holleman Road @ Harris Lake
16 February 2004

Monday morning 16 February 2004 following the latest winter blast over the weekend, roads were extremely slick, including the bridge over Harris Lake on New Hill Holleman Road. The driver of a pickup truck found that out first-hand when his vehicle skidded off the road, flipped over the guardrail, and rolled over several times before splashing into the lake. The driver escaped the vehicle without injuries and swam to shore where a passing motorist helped him to safety.

Fire units were initially dispatched to a possible water rescue. Engine 3 responded from Station 3 and Brush 1 came from Station 1 towing the boat and cold water rescue gear. Once on scene, Howard and Ian suited up in the cold water suits, although by that time it had become a vehicle recovery operation so our personnel did not actually have to enter the frigid water. Car 1, Car 3 and Car 5 were also on scene, and Station 2's crew responded in Engine 2 later on in the operation to assist. The pickup truck sank completely, and fire crews worked together with Wake County Sheriff's deputies and Progress Energy officials to locate it using search poles and a fish finder.

Once the vehicle was located, crews were able to attach a tow truck cable to it using an underwater camera to guide them, and the tow truck operator pulled the vehicle out.

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