Fire fighters jumped into action and saved a man and his dog from culvert filled with fast-moving water.
The culvert runs underneath east Boutz Road in Las Cruces.
Firefighters responded to the 200 block of east Boutz Road Wednesday after a passerby heard a man yelling for help, stated a news release.
The man was unable to maneuver on his own against the swift-moving water.
Firefighters were not able to see the man inside the culvert, but they were able to communicate with him.
A ladder was lowered into the mouth of the culvert by crews.
The man was able to reach the ladder and hold on while a harness was lowered to lift his dog out of the water.
After the dog was pulled from the culvert, the 56-year-old man was able to climb the ladder.
Fire officials reported that the man was medically examined on scene and released.
The culvert is part of the irrigation canal that runs north to south along Main Street.
The irrigation canal is piped and runs completely underground for several hundred feet south of Boutz Road. The canal does not surface again until it reaches El Paseo Road.
The Las Cruces Fire Department reminds residents to avoid entering canals and culverts as they can quickly become inundated with fast-moving water.
Irrigation canals, ditches and culverts should not be used as shelters, pathways or play areas.
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