On Saturday July 10th, the City of Somerville was slammed with a torrential downpour of rain.  Within minutes, many streets in the City became flooded.  The Rt. 28 underpass on McGrath Highway heading toward the Assembly Square Mall began to fill up rapidly, trapping multiple cars as they were traveling through the tunnel.  Off-duty Firefighter Mike Marino (E-1/Gr.2) was leaving the nearby Stop & Shop when he noticed the flooded tunnel and a motorist trapped on top of her car.  With the water level rising to 18 feet inside the tunnel and the motorist screaming for help, Firefighter Marino swam out to her to try to keep her calm as they waited for additional response.

(Photos below courtesy of Mark Garfinkel/Boston Herald)

Stranded motorist Christine Broderick screams for help from atop the roof of her car.

A State Police Trooper standing in the water radioes for additional help as off-duty Firefighter Mike Marino arrives at the entrance of the tunnel.

Mike Marino reaches Christine Broderick and tries to calm her down.

Marino and Broderick are pulled back to safety after they are thrown a life ring.

Lt. Mike Anzalone and Firefighter Bobby Galvin Jr. of Engine 1 attempt to get an additional Rescue Disc out to Marino and Broderick.

Firefighter Jack Beckwith of Engine 1 enters the water to help pull Christine to safety.

Mass State Police Troopers along with Lt. Mike Anzalone (far right) of Engine 1, assist Jack Beckwith with bringing Christine Broderick to safety.

A member of the State Police scans the tunnel for additional people who may be trapped.  No one else was trapped in the tunnel.

Mike Marino takes a moment to catch his breath after rescuing Christine Broderick.

Firefighter Mike Marino and Christine Roderick are reunited at the scene after they had been cleaned up and put on clean, dry clothes.