Dallas Fire-Rescue: Man dies after vehicle submerged in high water during severe storm

A man died early Wednesday after his car became submerged in rapidly rising water during heavy rain, Dallas Fire-Rescue said.

According to Jason Evans, DFR spokesperson, units were sent just after midnight to the 12900 block of Park Central Drive after a 911 caller reported their vehicle had become stuck in high water under the Interstate 635 bridge.

Both DFR and Dallas police responded to the scene, Evans said, including of the swift water rescue team. First responders found two vehicles submerged in “rapidly rising water levels.”

Evans said police officers were able to help two people exit one of the vehicles, but the other vehicle was already completely submerged.

DFR’s swift water rescue team attempted to make a rescue, but the first boat was capsized by a “rapid current,” Evans said. First responders were thrown into the water, but were able to exit safely as they were wearing personal flotation devices.

A second boat attempted to reach the submerged vehicle, but was unable to due to strong currents. DFR Command then made the decision to wait until water levels receded.

Once first responders were able to search the second vehicle, they found its occupant, an adult male, dead.

The man was not identified by officials.

Dallas County was under a severe thunderstorm watch Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The area where the incident occurred was also under a flash flood warning at the time.

Parts of Dallas remain under a flood warning Wednesday.