A 56-year-old man and his dog were rescued from a Las Cruces culvert after recent rains

LAS CRUCES – A 56-year-old man and his dog were rescued by firefighters Wednesday after the Las Cruces Fire Department said stormwater trapped him inside a Las Cruces culvert.

According to a news release, firefighters arrived at the 200 block of East Boutz Road around 8:45 p.m. after a passerby reported a man yelling for help from inside the culvert running under the street. 

The news release said firefighters could not see the man when they arrived. But they did start talking to him. After making contact, the firefighters lowered a ladder into the culvert and told the man to hold on.

The culvert had filled with rushing water at the time after a storm passed through Las Cruces this week. The release said the water made it impossible for the man and his dog to escape the currents.

But after the man grabbed the ladder, the news release said firefighters could drop a harness and pull up the dog. The man was then able to grab the ladder and pull himself up. The release said the man was medically assessed on scene and released.

The release also emphasized that the situation could’ve been much worse. The culvert is part of a drainage system that spans hundreds of feet and surfaces very few times. Had the man and his dog been swept away, the release said they would not have surfaced again until reaching El Paseo Road. 

“The Las Cruces Fire Department reminds residents to avoid entering canals and culverts as they can quickly become inundated with fast-moving water. Irrigation canals, ditches, and culverts should not be used as shelters, pathways, or play areas,” the release said.

Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.