North Hills, CA – On December 12, 2023, at 12:53 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) launched a swift water rescue operation after reports of a vehicle in the Los Angeles River near 15100 W Parthenia Street in North Hills, only to find no victims or vehicle, categorizing the incident as a false alarm. The comprehensive ground and air search, involving multiple LAFD units, concluded swiftly, allowing responders to return to other emergencies in the San Fernando Valley.
At 12:53 p.m., LAFD received a call reporting a possible vehicle swept into the Los Angeles River near Parthenia Street, a concrete-lined channel prone to flooding during winter rains, as noted in a 2023 Los Angeles Times report. With recent storms raising water levels, LAFD deployed swift water rescue teams, helicopters, and ground units from Fire Station 7 in North Hills, per an LAFD. Responders searched the reported location and downstream areas, using aerial surveillance to scan the river’s swift currents.
After an exhaustive 30-minute search, no victims were found, leading LAFD to classify the incident as a false alarm, likely triggered by a mistaken sighting or debris mistaken for a car, according to LAFD. No injuries or property damage were reported, and all units were released by 1:30 p.m. to handle other calls. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) assisted with crowd control but was not involved in the investigation, as no crime was suspected.
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