Crime & Safety

Flash Flood Swamps Car at Vinnin Square

A North Andover pair got caught in flash flooding near Marshalls this afternoon.

 

The water came up fast and Justin Riley, 24, and Cristina DeCologero, 19, had one thing on their minds: get out.

The North Andover pair were headed to the Sprint store at the Vinnin Square Mall by  on Tuesday when a mid-afternoon thunderstorm hit.

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Hail and torrential rain pelted the car, a 2001 Mercedes.

Justin was driving, slowly, in a low spot in the parking lot when a river of water rose and rushed over Cristina's car.

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"It went over the hood and into the car," said Justin.

Swampscott firefighters responded to the scene at 3:33 pm.

The girl friend and boy friend were safely out of the car when they arrived, said Swampscott fire Capt. Remo Zimbaldi.

Firefighters remained on the scene until a tow truck arrived, about 30 minutes later, to tow the swamped vehicle away.

Swampscott police also responded to reports of flooding under the railroad bridge on Burrill.


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