An abandoned vehicle was discovered yesterday in a concrete-lined flood control channel in North Hills, prompting a swift search operation by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The vehicle, found at 15100 W Parthenia Street, appeared damaged and was unoccupied, leading firefighters to conduct a thorough search on the ground and from the air. According to LAFD's incident alert, the car was sitting in approximately three feet of fast-moving water, potentially washed downstream in the narrow channel.
The LAFD secured the vehicle and extended their search downstream, toward the larger Pacoima Wash due to concerns that occupants may have been swept away. "As first arriving responders secured the vehicle, their LAFD colleagues are searching downstream by ground and air out of an abundance of caution, to ensure no person was somehow swept downstream," read the statement from the area's first responders. Despite intensive efforts, which included both helicopter and ground units, the initial report of a river search turned out to be a false alarm.
In a follow-up statement, the LAFD announced the conclusion of the incident as a false alarm, after confirming that no victims were found in the vicinity or downstream areas. The completion notice stated, "A comprehensive LAFD ground and air search of the location and areas downstream has found no victim(s)." This allowed the LAFD to redirect their resources to other emergencies following the all-clear.
The circumstances leading to the vehicle's presence in the channel remain unclear, and there have been no reports of missing persons connected to this event. All units involved have since been made available to handle other emergencies in the city.
