Dallas crews rescue woman trapped in sewage-filled ravine for days

By Chris Pugh
cleveland.com

DALLAS — A young woman is recovering after authorities in Dallas rescued her from a steep, sewage-filled ravine where investigators say she had been trapped for several days during dangerous triple-digit temperatures. Officials credited a passerby who heard her cries for help with alerting first responders before her condition became even more critical.

The rescue unfolded June 28 after a man walking through a wooded area behind Emmett J. Conrad High School reported hearing faint calls for help. After following the sound, he discovered the woman stuck in deep mud and sewage at the bottom of a ravine, unable to free herself. He immediately contacted emergency services.

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Dallas police officers and Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel responded to the scene, where temperatures had reached approximately 104 degrees. Emergency crews traversed about a quarter-mile of rugged, heavily wooded terrain before reaching the woman. Working together, firefighters, police officers and paramedics safely extricated her and transported her to a nearby hospital.

Authorities said the woman was treated for severe dehydration, prolonged exposure to extreme heat and additional injuries sustained during the ordeal. Officials have not publicly identified her or released an update on her medical condition.

Investigators have not determined how the woman became trapped in the ravine, and police have released few details about the circumstances leading up to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.

In a statement following the rescue, the Dallas Police Department praised the coordinated response by officers, firefighters and paramedics, saying the operation demonstrated the importance of agencies working together during emergencies. Officials also credited the passerby whose willingness to investigate the cries for help ultimately led to the woman’s rescue.

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