San Jose crews search for missing man in drainage canal

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Tuesday night rescue crews searched for a missing man who may have been stuck in a drainage canal along a freeway in San Jose.

Near Highway 101 and Yerba Buena Road dozens of emergency personnel arrived to look for a man they believe was trapped somewhere in the drainage canal.

The San Jose Fire Department says three men became worried when their friend never came out of a tunnel.

All four were taking a walk when they decided to see how far in the tunnel they could go. Three of them then turned back while the fourth man continued.

After what they say was a thorough search in waist-high water, San Jose fire believe the young man safely made it out to the other side and likely walked home.

San Jose Fire Capt. Fernando Munoz said, "Anybody can climb [the fence] and jump over, that's probably what they did. Just young guys being young guys and exploring and... I think the moral of the story is stick together. Don't leave a guy behind."

The man's three friends did try calling him on his cellphone, but got no answer. Emergency crews believe the phone may have become disabled from the waist-high water.