Stafford County Fire & Rescue units were involved in two vehicle water rescues along the same stretch of River Road early Wednesday morning.

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The first incident took place just before 2 a.m. when rescue units arrived in the area of Pratt Park to find two cars stranded in high water. The occupants had made their way to dry land before units arrived.

After the first rescue, VDOT placed signs and traffic cones on both ends of the stretch of River Road to indicate that the road was closed.

However, about two hours later, Fire & Rescue responded to the same place to find a person trapped in a vehicle in the middle of rapidly rising water. Rescue swimmers brought the driver safely to shore, but he refused treatment and denied any injuries.

First responders noticed that the signs and cones had been removed from the roadway.

Two abandoned vehicles remain in the area. They will be removed once the water level drops.

Officials warn drivers that most cars can be swept away in just 18-24 inches of moving water.