(New York Daily News) – A team of New York City firefighters and cops rescued 64 people in a North Carolina city ravaged by Hurricane Matthew — including a family of three stranded atop an SUV in roaring waters, officials said Sunday.
Four rescue teams on boats navigated deep, churning water in Fayetteville, N.C., wary of open manholes and — worst of all — snakes, FDNY Chief Joe Downey said.
One harrowing rescue, captured on video, showed a family that had attempted to drive across a flooded road Saturday about 7 p.m. but didn’t make it, Fayetteville Fire Marshal Michael Martin confirmed.
Fortunately, FDNY Lt. Vinnie Pickford, Firefighter Mike Wood and NYPD Detective Dennis O’Sullivan were on hand to save the family huddled on top of their SUV in pouring rain. The heroes used a small, motorized boat, deftly steering the vessel through wild rapids.
