A Canadian tourist became trapped in a metal grate on Federal Highway 200 near Púlpito Street in Puerto Vallarta’s Amapas neighborhood, revealing critical maintenance lapses in the municipal fire department’s hydraulic rescue equipment.
On Wednesday afternoon, a Canadian woman became trapped in a metal drainage grate along Federal Highway 200, close to the intersection with Púlpito Street in the Amapas neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Passersby alerted authorities, and municipal police alongside fire department crews arrived on scene within minutes.
Firefighters immediately deployed the hydraulic spreader—commonly known as the “Jaws of Life”—to cut through the metal bars and free the woman. They soon discovered a hydraulic leak in the tool, which prevented it from building enough pressure to sever the grate. With the hydraulic device rendered inoperative, the rescue team switched to manual extrication methods. Using hand-operated cutters and pry bars, they carefully widened the gaps until the woman could be safely removed. She was freed without further incident, thanks entirely to the rescuers’ manual efforts.
The failure of the hydraulic cutter revealed a troubling lapse in the maintenance of life-saving equipment. While trained personnel executed the rescue with professionalism, the incident underscored that even the most skilled responders rely on properly functioning tools. A preliminary check by on-site technicians confirmed that the affected spreader had not undergone a full hydraulic pressure test in over a year.
A Canadian tourist became trapped in a metal grate on Federal Highway 200 near Púlpito Street in Puerto Vallarta’s Amapas neighborhood, revealing critical maintenance lapses in the municipal fire department’s hydraulic rescue equipment.
