Mattress used to rescue family trapped by floodwater

Firefighters used a mattress to float three adults and three pets to safety.

Trapped in their home with water pouring in, rescuers had to get creative to save a family from their Van Zandt County home on Wednesday night.

Firefighters turned a mattress into a makeshift raft to rescue the three adults and three pets.
“It was like you were sitting on a lake,” said Rhonda Shrader.

What was rushing water is now a silent street for Shrader.

Shrader, her sister and friend were in their mobile home in Wills Point when their front yard flooded during Wednesday's storm.

Shortly after, their floor was underwater.

“It happened that quick, within 40 minutes,” Shrader said.

Wills Point Police Chief Aaron Long says he waded through four-and-a-half feet of water to get to the property, then requested help from other departments.

“Conjointly, all of us got together, got a game plan, very strategic game plan together to conduct a high-water rescue,” Long explained.

Once rescuers made it to the house, Shrader says they found an unlikely rescue tool.

“They, all the sudden, found the mattress and here we came,” Shrader said.

Floating on a queen-sized mattress down the driveway and guided by firefighters: three adults with pets, two trips and one wild rescue.

“All I was thinking was this little guy in front is me is not letting go of me. That's all I was thinking,” Shrader said.

The floors of their home have already been stripped and the family is staying at a hotel for now, grateful to be back on dry ground. “If you have to call 911. do as they tell you. Don't try to be a hero,” Shrader said.

No one was injured in the flooding. Shrader says their horses, two dogs and cat are all okay but their potbelly pig did not survive.