Six people rescued by helicopter during powerful river currents in Paso Robles

People trapped in the Salinas River in Paso Robles were first spotted by a person on the ground monitoring the water flow. They saw a tent moving down river and noticed someone reach an arm out. That’s when emergency responders were called.

“I think water like that is very deceptive,” CHP Sgt. Steve Neumann said. “I don’t think people quite understand the power.”

People living in the riverbed had been warned that the coming storm would be a danger to them, but many chose to stay. It wasn’t until Thursday morning that the danger the river posed to people in it became undeniable.

“There definitely have been fatalities over the years that have occurred in water that just doesn’t seem to be as dangerous as it is.”

Six people were hoisted up by a CHP helicopter and dropped off in a nearby parking lot. Four other people were rescued by firefighters who swam out to get them. The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports two people suffered minor injuries, one dog was saved one died during rescue efforts.

“I think just the magnitude, the number of people rescued at one particular time is pretty unusual,” Neumann said.

The rescues happened near the Niblick Bridge in Pas Robles around 13th Street in Paso Robles.