QUINLAN - Two Texas Department of Transportation employees are being credited with the rescue of three women who became trapped in their car amidst rising flood waters.
Jason Dale and Dean Gatlin out of the Rains County Maintenance Office were setting barricades on FM 1565 just west of Quinlan when they came upon an immobilized Nissan Altima.
According to Tray Turner, public relations officer with TxDot’s Paris District, Dale and Gatlin carefully drove down to victims. With the help of a Tommy Lift gate attached to the back of their truck, they assisted the women from a car window and onto the gate before driving them to safety.
Jason is a 23 year veteran at TxDOT and an Equipment Operator while Dean is a General Transportation Tech with almost 17 years at TxDOT.
The state agency is reminded motorists that flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in Texas, and as little as six inches of water can float some vehicles. They encourage drivers who encounter a flooded road to Turn Around, Don't Drown!
This week’s heavy rainfall caused significant flooding along roadways throughout the Paris District’s nine county service region, resulting in some road closures and delays.