EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- A dramatic water rescue unfolded on the San Gabriel River in El Monte on Monday night.

AIR7 was over the scene as crews airlifted a man to safety after he was stranded in a marsh along the river.

It happened near the 605 Freeway and the 60 Freeway.

Crews took extreme measures to try and get to the man. At one point, AIR7 captured video of a firefighter in full gear attempting to swim across the river to the man. The firefighter eventually had to turn around.

That's when a helicopter lowered a first responder down to the man. They were both lifted out and brought to safety back on the shore.

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