Four people rescued near Santa Paula after getting trapped by fast-moving creek

Firefighters rescued four people trapped by a fast-moving Santa Paula Creek early Monday, hoisting them out one by one using a helicopter.

The four had become trapped on a bit of dry land near the spot where the creek feeds into the Santa Clara River, said Andy VanSciver, public information officer for the Ventura County Fire Department.

The creek rose and picked up speed as Monday's storm dumped more than an inch of rain in the area. Someone apparently made it out of the creek and went to a local business, saying people were stuck in the wash, VanSciver said.

The person asked the business to call 911. The call came in around 5:30 a.m.

Crews responded and decided a helicopter rescue would be the safest way to evacuate the small island that had formed, according to VanSciver. All four people had been taken to Santa Paula Airport by 7:30 a.m.

One of the four then was taken to the hospital with a minor injury. Authorities said the injury apparently had happened before the rescue operation.

More:Coronavirus cases climb to 221 in Ventura County nearly a month after first local case

Swift-water rescues are not uncommon during storms. In mid-March, county fire department crews rescued a person from an island in the Sespe Creek near Fillmore.

In that area, Highway 126 forms a bridge over the creek. Firefighters were able to use a 35-foot ladder to reach the person, VanSciver said.

More:Police respond to stabbing in east Ventura; two injured

Cheri Carlson covers the environment for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.