[ad_1]

One person died and two others were rescued after flood waters washed away a truck on the Hopi reservation last week, according to Hopi Law Enforcement Services.

Around 4:45 p.m. on July 25, Hopi law enforcement officials received a call that a vehicle was stuck on a bridge with water rising quickly, Hopi officials said.

Officers arrived at the bridge at the Dinnebito Wash, a remote area on the southwestern edge of the reservation, and found it completely submerged from the flood waters, according to Hopi officials.

Law enforcement saw a man and woman standing on a small island in the middle of the fast-moving waters. Officers also saw the top of a truck in the middle of the wash.

The Navajo Fire Department rescued the two adults and sent them to Tuba City Heath Care Center. Officers were told another person was stuck inside the submerged truck, according to Hopi officials.

Coconino County Search and Rescue officials pulled a man from the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Hopi officials said.

The Navajo Police Department, Hopi Fire Department, Navajo Fire Department, Coconino County Search and Rescue and Navajo Emergency Medical Services assisted Hopi Law Enforcement Services with the rescue operation, Hopi officials said.

“HLES would like to thank all the supporting and assisting agencies that responded,” said Chief of Police Virgil Pinto. “The primary Hopi reservation encompasses 1.9 million acres of land and at times as these, we rely on our partnering agencies to assist.”

Hopi law enforcement officials reminded the public to never cross roads with running water and to use good judgement around flood waters.

The name of the victim who died, as well as the status of the two victims taken to the care center, are unknown at this time.

The investigation was turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Criminal Investigations-Hopi Agency, Hopi officials said.

Flood water victims in Arizona

Monsoon season continues to bring heavy rainfall and potential flash floods to Arizona.

Last month, Coconino County experienced flash floods totaling over $2.6 million in damage.

Cottonwood resident Faith Moore, 16, went missing for four days after flood waters overtook her vehicle. She was eventually found dead about 1.5 miles away from where she went missing.

In eastern Arizona, 4-year-old Maci Reed also lost her life after being swept away by flood waters.

Most recently, 13-year-old Samuel Gonzalez died in Rio Rico after flood waters swept him half a mile downstream while swimming.

The National Weather Service states about six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, while about 12 inches can move most cars. The weather service also states it is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters and advises people to turn around if encountering them.

Reach breaking news reporter Michael Donohue at [email protected] or on Twitter @MRDonohue4.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

[ad_2]

Source link