Adjective and Noun Placement

Question

Is it better to say "We rescued the five people trapped" or "We rescued the five trapped people"? And why?

Answer 1

If all you want to say is that a rescue of five trapped people was effected, then I'd go with We rescued the five trapped people.

We rescued the five people trapped sounds like you've left something off at the end.

• We rescued the five people trapped in the rubble.
• We rescued the five people trapped by the rising water.
• We rescued the five people trapped in the burning building.
• We rescued the five people trapped. (?)