17 Hikers Rescued In Arizona Flash Flooding
PHOENIX (AP) — Heavy weekend rains triggered flash flooding across Arizona, forcing the rescue of 17 hikers who were trapped by rapidly rising water, authorities said.
As of early Monday, the last of stranded hikers had been rescued. A rescue helicopter picked up the last two after they spent the night in a scenic canyon popular with hikers on the outskirts of metro Tucson.
The other 15 hikers stuck at Tanque Verde Falls, in Redington Pass, were lifted out by helicopter Sunday or were walked out by rescue teams. Those 15 included a 4-year-old boy.
Search and rescue teams had dropped food, water and blankets to the two remaining hikers.
Pima County Sheriff's Deputy Code Gress said the incident is a reminder of the dangers of flash flooding.
Eight days ago, a flash flood killed 10 members of an extended family in Tonto National Forest about 190 miles north of where Sunday's flooding occurred near Tucson.
