Video captures rescue of woman from Miami River following crash
MIAMI — Newly released body camera video captures the moments a woman was pulled to safety from the Miami River after the pickup truck she was in crashed into the water.
A police officer and two other people jumped into action, helping rescue the woman from the sinking vehicle.
The city of Miami confirmed the woman was one of two city employees inside a waste department truck at the time of the crash.
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Surveillance video obtained by Local 10 News shows the driver losing control of the truck, slamming into a fence, a tree and a boat before plunging into the river.
The crash happened Dec. 1 near Northwest 18th Terrace and 24th Court.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene.
“It was like a crazy situation for us because we’re normally used to seeing boats in the marina, not cars sinking,” boat captain Mauricio Florez said.
Florez said one of the people that helped cut the truck’s airbag to help both city workers escape just before the vehicle sank. One worker made it safely to shore as first responders gathered on the dock to assist.
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Body camera video shows the emotional moment the two workers were reunited after the rescue — embracing after surviving the frightening crash.
Police said the driver of the city truck was later cited for careless driving.
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Byron Tollefson
Byron Tollefson joined Local 10 News as a reporter in July 2025.
Larger-than-life bug animatronics invade Zoo Miami for a limited-time event.
Families looking for something to do in the city might consider visiting Zoo Miami for their Bugtopia event, which starts on June 27 to October 31.
The zoo will host 13 gigantic animatronics and two photo-op stations.
Starting from the entrance all the way to the Conservation Action Center, guests will find the larger-than-life insects accompanied by colorful comic-style panels with fun facts and sound effects.
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The first 250 guests to arrive on June 27 and 28 will receive zoo sunglasses and a free voucher for a kid’s meal from their local Flanigan’s.
Those two opening days will also have a kid-friendly DJ present for extra entertainment.
There will also be “bug-themed tastings” on June 27.
The event will have insect investigation stations as well as microscopic insect explorations called “bug detectives”.
Anyone who completes these activities will earn a junior entomologist certificate.
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For families looking for something to do in Miami this summer, you might consider Bugtopia for your next stop.
Residents walks through the rubble two days after earthquakes struck Catia La Mar, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Fernando Vergara/AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
MIAMI — Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins announced on Friday that the city’s fire rescue personnel were preparing to deploy to Venezuela’s disaster zone.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also met with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel, who were also packing for deployment.
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“This is something that is important work. We have one of the most well-trained, committed teams in the United States,” Higgins said, according to a video the city released on Friday night.
The U.S. State Department activated Florida Task Force 2, or FL-TF2, an urban search-and-rescue team of about 230, including physicians, structural engineers, hazardous material technicians, and K-9 handlers.
“It’s devastating what happened in Venezuela, so we are making sure that they have the support that they need, and we are going to send a team of 80 people,” Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona said, according to the city’s video published on X.
The State Department also activated Florida Task Force 1, MDFR Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah’s team, which has experience working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
After the devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck late Wednesday, the Trump administration first announced the deployment of search-and-rescue teams from California and Virginia.
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Related list: Drop-off locations in South Florida
Today, City of Miami leadership stood alongside Miami Fire Rescue personnel designated for deployment to Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes. The City reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to humanitarian relief as the federal government’s activation of USAR… pic.twitter.com/C2ul3VEOiT
— City of Miami (@CityofMiami) June 27, 2026
More HELPING VENEZUELA coverage Venezuela Survivors walk on Friday near a toy that was abandoned in the rubble of an apartment building in Catia La Mar, Venezuela. (AP Foto/Fernando Vergara) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Fernando Vergara/AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) APTOPIX Venezuela Earthquake Rescue workers aid Daniel Cordero after pulling him from the rubble two days after an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Fernando Vergara/AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Venezuela Earthquake Venezuelan Police searches through the rubble two days after earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) APTOPIX Venezuela Earthquake Rescue workers place Daniel Cordero on a stretcher after pulling him from the rubble two days after an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Fernando Vergara/AP Photo/Fernando Vergara) Venezuela Earthquake Members of a religious organization distribute food to people affected two days after an earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Andrea Torres
The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
Residents search through the rubble two days after an earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
MIAMI — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue announced on Friday that the U.S. State Department “activated” the department’s search-and-rescue team to work in Venezuela after the two earthquakes.
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The fire rescue personnel with the Urban Search and Rescue, or USAR, and Florida Task Force 1, or FLTF1, which includes 80 specialists, will support search and rescue operations.
“We know that many people in our community have family, friends, and loved ones in Venezuela, which makes this mission especially meaningful to us,” a MDFR spokesperson wrote in a statement. “We deploy with a single purpose: to provide hope and assist those who have been affected during this difficult time.”
The FLTF1 “Type I” team also includes six canine teams and experts in 19 areas, including command and control, technical search, structural evaluation and stabilization, planning and technical information, advanced medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, tactical communications, logistics, safety, and technical rescue.
The State Department had already deployed two urban search and rescue teams from Los Angeles and Fairfax, Virginia, that had worked together in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa.
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Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Andrea Torres
The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.
