FORT WAYNE – A DirectTV installation van driver had to be rescued from his vehicle Wednesday after passing a sign for a closed road and getting stuck in chilly floodwaters on the city’s south side.
Fire crews and emergency personnel responded to a call for a water rescue about 10:30 a.m., Poe Fire Department Chief Paul VonBank said.
VonBank said crews found the van stranded between Winchester Road and Decatur Road where the St. Marys River crosses South County Line Road.
VonBank said the driver had driven around a road barricade in an attempt to make it across the river, but got stuck.
“He was far enough out that we couldn’t get to him in water suits, so we sent a boat out,” VonBank said.
Boats from the Southwest Allen County Fire District and the Decatur Fire Department were called to the scene to rescue the driver.
The man, who was able to stay dry in the cab of the vehicle, was rescued about 25 minutes after the initial call and had no injuries, VonBank said. The installation vehicle remained at the scene until crews could send in a truck to get it out, he said.
