Water Main Break Traps Driver

A water main broke Friday morning in University City, causing major flooding and heavy traffic in the area.

It happened around 10 a.m. on the corner of 38th Street and Woodland Walk. The water rushed from an underground 16-inch pipe towards the VA Medical Center and in the middle of traffic flow.

While the flooding proved to be a major annoyance for numerous drivers in the area, for Dennis Weinraub of Holland, Pa., it was life threatening.

University of Pennsylvania Police were directing traffic and they directed me that way,” said Dennis.

Little did Dennis know that he was driving straight into the flood. His car quickly became submerged in more than four feet of water.

“Water was coming into my car, up to my ankles, up to my seat, up to my pants,” said Weinraub.

Luckily Police were able to pull him out and rescue him. He was taken to the local hospital, given dry clothing and released.

“I don’t think this a good day for me to play the lottery,” joked Weinraub.

While the Northbound side of 38th Street has been reopened, there is still major flooding in the basement of the Veterinary Building. Crews are currently pumping out the water.

The water department told NBC10 that they weren’t sure what caused the break. A few businesses and buildings in the area reported low water pressure however.
 

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