Flash Flood Leaves Women Stranded in Shreveport
Shreveport, LA: Flash floods are no new phenomenon for the residents of ArkLaTex, but heavy rainfall this previous month led to unusually quick waterlogging on the city streets of Shreveport, catching many drivers off guard.
Among the stranded were three women who found themselves marooned in their vehicles on the flooded streets, without any immediate means to extricate themselves safely. Thanks to the courageous and timely intervention of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), otherwise a disaster, turned into an outstanding rescue operation.
A Twist of Fate or Mere Luck
Pearce Copeland, the EMT from Balentine Ambulance who played hero, was en route to his station. A change in his usual path due to the flood-infested roads presented him with the sight of stranded vehicles. Copeland, though specialized in medical emergencies rather than water rescues, did not hesitate to jump into action when he spotted a wavering hand from one of the water-stranded cars.
The Rescuer at Work
According to Copeland, his immediate instinct said the vehicles would be empty. However, he acted swiftly when he saw the plea for help. “I didn’t think anybody was in the cars,” he said. “and I didn’t think they would stay in there. I saw someone’s hand wave out of the first car to the right, and that’s when I looked to my partner. I was like, ‘I think there’s somebody in there.’”
First, Copeland successfully pulled out a woman who was unable to swim and was stuck with her jammed car door. Having rescued her, he heard distressed calls from another vehicle nearby, wherein lied two more women calling out for help.
One of them, partially paralyzed and unable to move, was on the brink of drowning when Copeland, pushing through the fast-rising water, got hold of her. Copeland was able to bring them to safety, ensuing that no lives were lost that day.
“She was able to talk to me, but in between gurgling water. ‘I’m going to count to three, hold your breath, and I’m going to help your head under the lip.’ I got her in my arms, and I started to carry her to the ambulance,” Copeland recalled.
Lifesaving Response in the Nick of Time
On his astounding deed of bravery, Copeland accredited it to being at the right place at the right time and stressed the vital importance of not driving through flooded areas. He said if he had been a few minutes later, the lady’s head would have been completely underwater.
Copeland’s heroic act not only saved three lives but also serves as a reiterated warning of the dangers of flash floods and the importance of immediate emergency response. It also emphasizes the critical role EMTs and other first responders play in ensuring public safety.
