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Firefighters rescue couple and Christmas presents from flooded Amelia road

Posted at 6:01 PM, Dec 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-25 21:55:25-05

AMELIA COUNTY, Va. -- A group of volunteer firefighters rescued two people after their van got stuck on a flooded road in Amelia County on Christmas Eve. Firefighter Cameron Sweeney said he and his fellow fighters used a pulley and harness system to rescue the couple after several failed attempts were made to wade through the fast-moving and waist deep water.

Amelia water rescue

"It was fighting me tooth and nail the entire time," Sweeney said about the water which he estimated to be about three feet deep.

The couple was headed down Lodore Road when their van got stuck in high water during Thursday night's downpour. The road had been closed by VDOT, but the rainy, foggy weather made it hard to see the Road Closed signs, witnesses said.

Amelia water rescue

When Sweeney pulled the couple to safety, he noticed bags of gifts in the van. The firefighters were able to pull three or four bags of Christmas gifts out of the van bring them back to dry land.

The volunteer firefighters are glad to see that everyone was safe, but said this should serve as an important message when it comes to high waters.

"When you see high water signs, stay away from them," said Sweeney, "because all it takes is a split second."

Look for a complete report on the CBS 6 News at 11.

Amelia water rescueAmelia water rescue

Amelia water rescue

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