Sandoval County Fire and Rescue saves three people from Gilman tunnels in Jemez

Sandoval County Fire and Rescue saved two children and an adult from rushing waters in the southwestern Jemez Mountains last month.

On June 21, an emergency call went out at the Gilman tunnels in Jemez about an adult and children who had tumbled down the water but managed to get out on the other side. The adult and one child had injuries.

The rescue was treacherous due to weather coming in with rain and flash floods during the operation. All three people were successfully rescued, and all responders were safe.

Rescue teams on scene included Santa Clara Fire Rescue, the Rio Grande Basin Hazardous Materials Response Team and Corrales Fire Department and Jemez Pueblo EMS.

According to SCFR, the river at one point rose 3 feet in a matter of five minutes. Officials advise visitors to stay out of the water when storms are nearby.

“It’s important to understand the weather around you. You may have bad weather further up that causes the flash flood to come down, but your area may be sunny. Be sure to wear life vests and put one on your children if you’re near water,” SCFR said in a statement.