A man’s body was recovered Friday inside a vehicle that was found partially submerged in a flooded area of Lancaster, authorities said.
Discovery
At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Friday, a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) helicopter was conducting a routine survey over the flooded region near 58th Street East and Avenue H-10 when it spotted a vehicle resting in the water. The aircraft’s crew noted that the car was not visible from the roadway because the surrounding terrain and the significant flooding caused by the recent holiday storm hid it from ground observers.
The helicopter’s pilot reported the sighting to the LAFD command center, which immediately coordinated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to investigate the location.
Response
The combined efforts of the sheriff’s department and the LAFD allowed responders to pinpoint the vehicle’s exact position. Upon arrival, the teams discovered that the vehicle was partially submerged in the water, and that a man’s body lay inside.
The authorities were able to recover the body from the vehicle, though the exact circumstances of how the man entered or was trapped in the car remain unknown at this time. The scene was secured and all personnel involved were briefed on the sensitivity of the situation.
Investigation
The LASD has stated that the identity of the deceased and the cause of death will be released at a later time, pending an investigation by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. No additional details about the investigation have been made public.
The coroner’s office will conduct a thorough examination to determine the manner and cause of death, as well as confirm the victim’s identity. Once those findings are available, the information will be shared with the public.
Key Takeaways
- A man’s body was recovered Friday inside a partially submerged vehicle in a flooded area of Lancaster.
- The vehicle was first spotted by an LAFD helicopter at 9:45 a.m. near 58th Street East and Avenue H-10.
- The vehicle was not visible from the roadway due to terrain and flooding from the holiday storm.
- LASD and LAFD located the vehicle and discovered the deceased.
- Identity and cause of death will be released after the coroner’s investigation.
The incident highlights the ongoing impact of the holiday storm’s flooding on the Lancaster area. Authorities continue to monitor affected regions and are working to ensure public safety as recovery and investigation efforts proceed.
