A Paint Creek firefighter suffered scrapes and bruises after floodwaters pulled him into a culvert while he was clearing debris

GREENFIELD, Ohio — A firefighter was swept 179 feet through a flooded culvert while clearing debris following heavy rain in Greenfield, WSYX reported.

Paint Creek EMS/Fire Chief David Manning said the firefighter was pulled into the pipe before he could grab onto anything.

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“It pretty much just pulled him right through; he didn’t have a chance to grab a hold of anything,” Manning said. “It was certainly something we’ve never experienced before.”

Manning said the firefighter was fortunate his injuries were not more serious.

“He is very lucky that that’s all it was,” Manning said.

The chief said the incident demonstrates how quickly moving water can become dangerous, even when it does not appear powerful.

“Any moving water. It doesn’t have to be fast to sweep you off your feet,” he said.

Paint Creek Joint Fire and EMS is reviewing its training to determine whether crews need additional preparation to prevent a similar incident.

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