Iberia firefighters and a local resident rescued a man from floodwater that had stranded his truck on Thursday.
.
Members of the Iberia Rural Fire Protection District were called around 5:15 a.m. to a vehicle in the water along Route A at Tavern Creek, about 3 miles west of St. Anthony, according to a report from the district.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the victim standing on the cab of his truck, located approximately 75 yards from the edge of the water. The truck had been swept off the side of the road and was sitting in the current with water over the headlights.
With the nearest swift water rescue boat 45 minutes away and with water flowing over the hood of the full-size truck, fire officials decided to perform the rescue with the assistance of a local resident. Abe Falkner offered the use of his boat to firefighters.
Using the fire department's specialized swift water rescue equipment, Falkner and firefighters Duncan and Crismon approached the vehicle from down current and came along side the truck, making contact with the stranded man. Firefighters instructed him to dawn one of their vests and then tie a safety rope around his chest. Firefighters then assisted the man, whom authorities did not name, into the boat and returned him to shore.
Miller County deputies and Miller County Ambulance personnel aided in the rescue.