A seeing-impaired man was saved by his guide dog Friday morning after the two were sucked down a drainage culvert in northeast Denver.

“The dog was the hero,” said Del Creason, a Denver police officer who was the first responder to the scene.

The victim, identified by Creason as Ronnie Webb, was knocked over by floodwaters while walking the dog at 8:30 a.m. near East 13th Avenue and Xenia Street.

While doing his patrol, Creason saw the dog near the water, paying particular attention to something, which, when upon further examination, turned out to be Webb.

Creason attempted to save them both, but as the officer approached, Webb screamed for help, which led to the dog jumping into the water, Creason said.

“Right then, they both got sucked under 13th Avenue,” Creason said.

Having grown up in the area, Creason knew the tunnels and where they would surface, he said.

With the help of a paramedic who was nearby, Creason was able to get Webb and the dog out of the water in the 1500 block of Akron Street, he said.

“He and the dog were in the tunnel for 17 minutes,” Creason said. “I’m sure he used the dog to keep afloat.”

Giving all the credit to Webb’s dog, Creason said he was happy he could help them and apologized to Webb for not getting to them faster initially.

“He (Webb) is a super- nice guy,” Creason said. “I am glad it worked out the way it did.”

Both Webb and his dog are fine and have been reunited, Creason said.

Help for flood victims

In the wake of torrential rainstorms that have raked the Front Range, flood victims can draw some comfort in knowing there are organizations offering help. Along with opening a number of temporary shelters in Boulder, Larimer and Adams counties, the American Red Cross in Colorado is collecting donations to underwrite relief efforts. redcross.org/charitable-donations.

“The best way to help out is with cash donations,” said Patricia Billinger, communications director for the Red Cross in Colorado and Wyoming. Even a little bit helps. A $2 donation will pay for a snack, $2.50 underwrites a hygiene kit distributed to evacuees, while $10 will pay for a hot meal and a couple of blankets, Billinger said.

The Intermountain Salvation Army also is working on flood-relief efforts. Their donation website is imsalvationarmy.org.

William Porter, The Denver Post