Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) was dispatched around 7 p.m. Thursday to the intersection of Four Hills and Sara Roads after reports of a water‑rescue incident in the nearby arroyo. Crews arrived to find a person who had been carried by the fast‑moving water and were able to pull the individual to safety.
Search for second victim continues
While one person was rescued, a second individual remains missing. AFR teams have established a command post near the site and are conducting a thorough search of the Tramway Channel, a narrow waterway locally known as “The Box.” The channel feeds into the larger Tijeras Arroyo and is notorious for its swift currents and steep drops.
The Tramway Channel is isolated from the city’s broader flood‑control system and contains two low‑head dams with 18‑foot vertical walls. These structures create powerful hydraulic forces that can trap and hold anyone swept downstream, making rescue operations especially dangerous for both victims and responders.
Historical danger of the area
Local officials note that the Tramway Channel has been the site of multiple fatalities over the years, the most recent occurring on August 11. The combination of narrow passages, sudden drops, and the presence of the low‑head dams has earned the arroyo a reputation as one of Albuquerque’s most treacherous flood corridors.
Fire crews are working in coordination with the Albuquerque Police Department and the city’s emergency management office. They have deployed specialized water‑rescue equipment, including inflatable boats, rope systems, and dive teams, to locate the missing person. The search is being conducted under low‑light conditions, and crews are rotating shifts to maintain safety and effectiveness.
Public safety reminders
City officials remind residents to exercise caution when traveling near arroyos, especially after heavy rain or during seasonal runoff. The Tramway Channel can swell quickly, and the low‑head dams create hidden hazards that are not always visible from the surface. Anyone who finds themselves in a fast‑moving arroyo should seek higher ground immediately and call 911.
AFR spokesperson John Martinez said, “Our crews are trained for these challenging environments, but the safety of the public is paramount. We urge anyone in the area to stay out of the water and let professionals handle the rescue.”
The search for the second victim is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
