SUV swept away when motorist tries to cross flooded road

Three motorists in an SUV that was pulling a trailer were swept off a road in the Cajon Pass when they attempted to cross a flooded road overnight.

A San Bernardino County swift water rescue team was called to the area of Keenbrook Road and Cajon Boulevard parallel to the 15 Freeway and the Cajon Wash after firefighters found three people clinging to a tree amid rushing floodwaters around 1 a.m. Monday.

The SUV they were riding in, which was pulling a trailer at the time, was pushed downstream before it apparently slammed into a tree and came to a stop.

Video showed rescue team members attempting to help the stranded victims as several feet of rushing water flowed past.

Three people were rescued and taken to higher ground. Their conditions were unknown.

Nearly 7 inches of rain has fallen at the nearby Lytle Creek rain station in the past 24 hours.

Officials warned travelers to never try and cross a flooded street, especially in fast-moving water.

As little as six inches of water can reach the bottom of many vehicles, causing the potential for stalling.