Ash Flat rescue personnel saved a local couple from the rushing waters of Big Creek after their vehicle was washed off a low water bridge July 13.

Sharp County Central Dispatch notified the Ash Flat Fire Department to respond to a call of a vehicle washed off a low water bridge on Orr Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Fire Chief Stacy Horton said.

Nine firefighters, a Sharp County deputy and Mayor Danny Traw, owner of Danny's Towing, responded to the scene.

Jimmy Sutton, 40, of Ash Flat and his wife, Phyllis, had tried to cross the bridge but instead were swept off the left side. Water reached the passenger side window of the couple's small pickup, Horton said.

Traw pulled his tow truck onto a portion of the bridge and tossed the couple a rope from his truck. The Suttons were given life vests and life preservers to attach to themselves while firefighters worked to pull the couple to safety using the rope.

The couple was not injured in the incident. The pickup was towed from the creek hours later when the water receded.

According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock 2.17 inches of rain fell in one hour late July 12. The torrential rain filled ponds and caused localized flooding for a short time in the area.