Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies, have been able to provide more details surrounding the actions of the victim’s 39-year-old uncle during this tragic incident.
As the uncle and his nephew were attempting to re-cross the river to return to their vehicle, the uncle told deputies he stepped off a ledge into the water estimated at 7 feet deep. His nephew was holding his arm at the time and both became submerged. His nephew began to panic and pull on his face and neck. During the struggle, the uncle attempted to grab a rock ledge he could feel nearby in hopes of pulling them both out of the water. Due to his nephew’s positon on top of him, he was unable to swim upward and began swallowing a lot of water and feeling as though he was going to drown. He attempted to push his nephew towards the shoreline but was not successful as his nephew continued to panic and would not let go. Finally the uncle separated from his nephew’s grip, was able to surface and head to the shoreline hoping to catch a breath and return to rescue his nephew. He made it near the shoreline and realized he had aspirated water during the struggle to get to the surface. He saw his nephew continuing to panic in the water, and then quickly go under without resurfacing.
After catching his breath, the uncle told deputies he re-entered the water to look for his nephew while screaming for help. Two males come by but would not assist him. A short time later, another man approached him and offered to call 911, but the man had to walk out of the canyon to get cell coverage. 3 female teenagers also heard the screaming and assisted him by trying to locate the victim until fire officials arrive on scene.
EMS personnel treated the uncle at the scene for breathing difficulties.
Deputies determined there is no evidence of foul play. The 8-year-old’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner for follow-up. Deputies drove the victim’s mother to the scene from Prescott Valley to meet with officials and other family members.
The victim is identified as 8-year-old Dimas Mendez from Prescott Valley.