News

Actions

Bystanders form human chain to rescue woman from flash flood in Maryland

Posted at 5:33 PM, Jul 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-31 19:35:21-04

WARNING: The video posted below contains several instances of profanity. Viewer discretion is advised.

MARYLAND — Two people have died as a result of flash flooding in Maryland, and video shot in Ellicott City shows a group of people coming together to form a human chain and rescue a woman trapped in a car surrounded by rushing water.

According to the video’s description, the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. local time Saturday on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City, Maryland.

The man who uploaded the video, David Dempster, said he and his wife own a business on Main Street and joined several others to help the woman when they saw her in distress.

One of those killed in the flooding was found in the same city, near downtown. Authorities aren’t sure if the deceased woman was in a car when the flooding hit or not.

Courtney Weglein was in the area and told CNN affiliate WJZ that the flooding caught them completely by surprise.

“It was insane, she said. “It was a flash flood. And I literally came here, I thought we’re going to have dinner. Within five minutes, it was panic and my friend was pulling someone out of there, and I’ve never seen anything like it … all I can say is, I’m just happy to be alive.”