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Rescue Workers Caught in Rushing Water in Texas

Aired August 30, 2001 - 19:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take our viewers now back to San Antonio, Texas. Getting word now that some of the rescue workers who had gone into that rushing water actually need rescuing themselves. A piece of watercraft now has moved back into that rushing stream. Although unclear, very little information coming back to us here in Atlanta about what's happening.

A short time ago, in the past 20, 25 minutes, we did see a mini van stranded in that rushing water, and it was rescue officials who had gone into the water, working their way along a rope line or some sort of fence that was set up, rescued the people and brought them to dry land.

What's happening here, though, appears to be a different turn of events. Two people in the water -- clearly, we can see that. At least one person in that watercraft tossing a rope to these two people. Whether it's a man or woman is not clear at this time, and also what's underneath that is not known. It's quite possible earlier where we saw that mini van parked, it may have been rushing water moving over the top of a roadway. But again, tough to see through the rushing water.

Six inches of rain have fallen in the San Antonio, Texas area. And again, as we look at the radar map, you can see the rain has fallen throughout the day there, and it's possible it may continue.

One person now coming to that floating device there. Another person still hanging on, climbing over what appears to be a few downed trees. But we saw the rope come out, and it appears at this point these two people may be A-OK. We were told that they were rescue workers, and that's the understanding we have at this time. The second person now getting a hand and moving closer to the watercraft there.

We'll keep an eye on it. The rain is falling, and the flash flooding under way in San Antonio, Texas.

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