Woman rescued from quicksand at Santa Barbara creek

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters in Santa Barbara had to get creative to rescue a woman from quicksand-like conditions at a local creek.

Recent high surf pushed water into the mouth of Mission Creek, creating a quicksand effect.

Firefighters were called to the area to rescue a 73-year-old woman visiting the area from Ireland who got stuck in the sand.

When firefighters tried to pull her out, they got stuck too.

They ended up laying a ladder flat along the ground, walking on it to rescue her.

Afterward, they filled the area with regular, dry sand to prevent anyone else from getting stuck.