Swift Water Rescue on Refugio Road

Update by edhat staff

Santa Barbara County Firefighters rescued a driver trapped between two swollen creeks in Refugio Canyon on Thursday afternoon.

At 1:38 pm rescue personnel received a report of an occupant trapped in their vehicle been the second and third crossing on Refugio Road, a half-mile up from Highway 101 on the Gaviota Coast.

A swift water rescue team was dispatched with engine company and they discovered a single vehicle parked on a high area of the roadway, not in danger but unable to cross due to flowing water on either side.

The driver made the right decision and called for assistance instead of attempting to cross, said Captain Daniel Bertucelli.

Rescue crews crossed the flowing water, assessed the driver who was uninjured and brought them back to safety.

SBC FF’s & CA State Parks Water Rescue Team members rescue Devon Voigtsberger, 26, after she became stuck on Refugio Road along the Gaviota Coast in between two rain swollen creek crossings. She was not injured. C/T 1:38 *Call Newsline* pic.twitter.com/ugvuDe2fWf

— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) January 28, 2021