Police/Crime/Fire  

Family, Firefighters Celebrate Rescue From Flood Waters

A very happy reunion Sunday brought together Montgomery County firefighters and the family of a 12-year-old boy they rescued from flood raging waters on July 31.

Aasish Selvaraj was being driven home from camp by his nanny, whose three-year-old son also was in the car – when the vehicle was swept off the road and into fast moving water near Bradley Boulevard and Holly Mercy Lane in Potomac. The car stopped when it crashed into a large tree branch.

The frantic nanny called Selvaraj’s father, who was working in McLean, Virginia. In a panic, she couldn’t say exactly where she was but made it clear they were in danger.

Selva Jayaraman knew the route the nanny drove and guessed where they were. He quickly called 911 and then drove to the area.

Firefighters Arrive

Meanwhile multiple firefighters rushed to the scene, including Cabin John Firefighter Levi Freeburn. The water “was moving pretty fast,” he said. The level rose to the windows of the SUV.

“We do flooding calls kind of frequently, but the volume of water and now to get them made it extremely challenging,” he said.

He recalled discussing with his fellow first responders, including those traveling in county swift water boats, the best way to handle the rescue.

The Rescue Challenges

Firefighter Paramedic Kevin Jacobson said his training helped him kick into gear. “I didn’t really think about it. You just kind of do it. When it’ go time, you just do it.”

One thing Jacobson was certain about. “There’s no giving up. If one plan didn’t work out, we would do another.”

The water was really high, he said. “It was probably just below my waist, and I’m 6-foot three.”

12-Year-Old Thinks Fast

Before the first responders had arrived, Selvaraj had climbed out the back door of the SUV and stood on the tree branch. The seventh grader then struggled to grab his nanny’s son and get him out of the car as well. They were standing on the log when the rescuers began the rescue.

In all, 25 first responders, four swift water boats and two fire engine companies were dispatched, including Cabin John and Rockville stations.

A Grateful Family

In an emotional show of appreciation, Jayaraman wrote out a $10,000 check to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services and promised to donate more on a regular basis. The family also supplied a catered Indian lunch for all those in attendance.

Jayaraman thanked everyone involve, noting, “If you are not there, my son is not here.”

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