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The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department Fox2 helicopter and swift water rescue teams were actively involved in five water rescues early Saturday morning due to heavy rains. The Northwest Valley had significant rainfall leading to flash flooding in and around washes.
Six rescues were conducted between 1: 00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., on Saturday.
At 12:45 a.m., deputies responded the area of Table Mesa Road, approximately 3 miles East of I-17 in New River AZ, for a report of 2 people stranded on top of a vehicle that was submerged in a wash. Upon arrival, deputies found that one of the persons had somehow managed to safely get to land. A woman subject was standing on top of her vehicle which was almost fully submerged in a rapidly flowing wash, trapped against some rocks. Multiple Fire Departments responded with Swift Water and Technical Rescue Teams. While Fire Departments were gathering a plan, MCSO’s helicopter arrived and decided to attempt a rescue. After dropping a life jacket to her, the helicopter was able to make a daring rescue of the subject utilizing their skid. She was returned to land where she was evaluated by Daisy Mountain FD and released at the scene.
MCSO received a 911 call that stated another vehicle tried to cross the river in the Sycamore Creek Area and became stuck. The water had reached the bottom of the vehicles door causing it to float. Subjects were on the roof of the vehicle. MCSO Lake Patrol / Search and Rescue responded to the area. While en-route, 911 received a second call stating the subjects were out of the water and were okay.
The Fox2 helicopter was requested to assist with a vehicle in the New River Wash. The truck, with 1 passenger inside, was in the wash and the water was lapping over the hood. Fox 2 landed across the river to rig for the rescue. As Fox 2 was getting ready, the truck started to move down stream due to the water rising. Officials talked to the man on his cell phone and gave him instructions. The helicopter pilot flew next to the driver’s door and were able to hand him a PFD thru his rolled down window. As the helicopter backed away, a radio operator told him to crawl on the roof for the extraction.
MCSO received a 911 call of 2 elderly subjects stuck in the wash in the Bartlett / Tonto National Forest Area. The vehicle was floating in the water. Bartlett Lake Deputies and Fox 1 responded to the area along with Rural Metro and Phoenix Fire Swift Water Rescue. Both subjects were rescued and needed no additional medical attention.
MCSO Received a 911 call about a Jeep that had become stuck in the 7 Springs area. MCSO District 4, Lake Patrol / Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue Swift Water Rescue and Rural Metro Fire all responded to area. Fox 2 was unable to get to the scene due to weather and low cloud cover. Mountain Rescue was able to retrieve the subjects and safely removed them from the river.