A 22-year-old man was rescued Thursday morning after he was swept away trying to cross the rain-swollen San Diego River on his way to work.
The man, described as an employee of a Target at the Westfield Mission Valley mall, was swept into nearby trees, which he hung onto until he could be rescued, lifeguards said.
San Diego Police were called to help the man just after 9 a.m. San Diego Fire-Rescue crews and swift water rescue team members used a raft and pully system to get him to dry ground.
The man was not injured.
Several days of rain have caused the river to crest and flow onto Camino de la Reina at Avenida del Rio, a common occurance for the area after a significant amount of rain.
"Any time you see an area that's filled with water or partially inundated, stop. Don't try to pass," said San Diego Lifeguards Sgt. John Sandmeyer. "Any amount of water up to six inches or more can really knock you off your feet."
Editor's note: A previous version of this story listed the man as a Fashion Valley employee, not a Mission Valley employee as lifeguards first described. We regret the error.
