Firefighters rescue woman from fast-moving Fresno canal

A Fresno Fire Department dive team rescued a woman from fast, cold water in a central area canal Wednesday morning after she fell in while making a trip to a fast food restaurant.

Ruby Sanchez, 40, said she was on her way to a McDonald’s when she slipped and fell in the canal at North Hammond Avenue and East Effie Street.

Aurelio Lopez, who works at a nearby auto repair shop, said he and his boss heard cries for help and ran to the canal and saw her trapped on the far bank. At first, they thought of tossing her a rope, but decided to call 911 instead.

Firefighters and the dive team arrived moments later. After putting a flotation vest on Sanchez, two divers floated her downstream, where firefighters pulled her from the water.

Sanchez said she does not know how to swim, but knew to cling to wood from a building next to the water until help arrived.

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 10:39 AM with the headline "Firefighters rescue woman from fast-moving Fresno canal."