A man heard shouting for help inside a storm channel in Moreno Valley where water was flowing at a fast clip could not be found Monday following an extensive ground and air search.
The swift water rescue was mounted about 10:25 a.m., initially in the area of Indian Street and Myers Avenue, and then later near Indian and Eucalyptus Avenue, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Multiple engine crews and truck companies deployed to locations where the channel courses through the city, from north to south. Firefighters went to all traffic and pedestrian bridges under which the channel runs, trying to find the man, according to reports from the scene.
At 10:45 a.m., a sheriff’s STAR-9 helicopter crew joined the search, with cloud cover breaking and visibility increasing moderately over the area.
According to officials, the chopper crew flew over all points where the channel is open and was unable to find the victim.
It was unknown whether he self-extricated himself from the canal.
At 11:35 a.m., the search was called off, and first responders returned to their stations.