Ranchers rescue man from East Bay creek following car crash

Two East Bay ranchers joined forces to save a Danville man from drowning when they jumped into a creek and pulled him to safety after his car skidded off a road and flipped over to land in the water near Livermore, officials said Wednesday.

Around 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the 20-year-old driver lost control of his 1996 Toyota Corolla while taking a sharp curve on Highland Road near Collier Canyon Road, said California Highway Patrol Officer Derek Reed.

With the Corolla almost completely submerged and quickly filling with water, the men had a short time to act.

After trying in vain to open the doors of the car, they grabbed a pickax out of one of their trucks, broke the back window and pulled the driver to safety, Reed said.

The man was examined at the scene by firefighters, but only had minor injuries, officials said.