Woman rescued from swift-moving Mojave River near Victorville

A woman was pulled out of the swift-moving Mojave River by San Bernardino County Fire rescue team Tuesday afternoon. 

The water rescue was reported just after 2 p.m. near the Mojave Riverwalk, east of Victor Valley College in Victorville. The woman, who was wearing a gray hoodie, leggings and tennis shoes, appeared groggy as she was carried to an American Medical Response ambulance parked on Outer Bear Valley Road. 

The condition of the woman is unknown at this time. 

Apple Valley Resident Victor Randolph told the Daily Press that he was driving over the Bear Valley Road bridge near the college when he heard sirens and saw people standing near the flooded Mojave River.

“I saw the woman in the river halfway between both banks,” Randolph said. “She was knee-deep and just standing there waiting to be rescued.”

During the rescue, first responders threw the woman a life jacket with an attached rope, he said. 

“She put the life jacket on and waited there until the rest of the swift water rescue team were able to get there,” Randolph said. "While she was walking toward the Apple Valley side, she slipped out of the jacket and started tumbling down the river.”

Rescuers told the woman to stand up until they could reach her, and safely secure her, which they did, Randolph said. 

“It’s amazing to see the professionals of San Bernardino County Fire, Victorville Fire, Apple Valley Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and AMR come together to save a life,” Randolph would later post on his Facebook. 

A portion of Bear Valley Road was closed for nearly two hours during the rescue and investigation.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz