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Video: Drowning man grabs police chopper’s skid bar in dramatic rescue

The man was unable to reach the shore due to the strong current

By Police1 Staff

MESA, Ariz. — Police rescued a man who was stuck in a river using the skid bar of a helicopter.

A citizen walking a path near Salt River called police on March 2 when the person heard calls for help, The Republic reported.

A helicopter was dispatched and discovered the man on top of debris in the river. Police said the man was unable to reach the shore due to the strong current and was weak due to the cold water.

The man told officials he was living in the river bottom and attempted to gather his belongings from a nearby island when he was swept away by the water.

Police flew the helicopter over the man, allowing him to hold onto the skid bar. He reached the shoreline safely and was treated by police and medics, according to the publication.

He was not seriously injured.