Watch FFs' Spectacular Rescue of NM Family from Floodwaters

New Mexico firefighters saved a family from being swept away when their SUV was caught in fast-moving floodwaters in a drainage ditch over the weekend. 

Portales Fire Department crews responded to a call just before 6 p.m. Saturday concerning multiple people trapped in a vehicle by flash flooding, the department stated in a news release. The SUV had been traveling down a flooded road when the current from a drainage ditch carried it away for about a half mile.

Once firefighters reached the SUV, they used ropes and an aerial to rescue a woman and two children inside the vehicle. Video footage captured both the dramatic rescue, as well as the SUV initially being swept away by the floodwater.

"The calm demeanor of the mother and her children greatly assisted in this rescue," the department stated.

The rescue took about an hour as firefighters secured the vehicle and then got the three people to safety. Battalion Chief Hugh Frank told KOB-TV that a fortunately placed pipe stopped the SUV from being sucked under the road.

"A lot of people are very surprised at how easily water carries the vehicle away or turns it over," he said. "The undercurrents and the fast moving water can make it pretty dangerous in a hurry."

Fire Chief TJ Cathey also credited his firefighters' quick actions with making the rescue a success.

"I can’t praise these guys enough on how effectively and efficiently they accomplished a very dangerous rescue with very limited personnel," he told KOB.