A 20-year-old female cyclist narrowly survived a near-drowning in Sabino Canyon, northeast of Tucson, Arizona, on Thursday morning 13 August after she was swept into fast-moving floodwater while cycling.
According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, emergency responders were called to the scene just before 8 a.m. local time after a group of three cyclists from the same family attempted to ride across a flooded bridge. The woman fell into the water and became trapped underwater. She reportedly remained submerged for several minutes before her relatives and nearby bystanders jumped in, pulled her free from the current and began CPR. Emergency responders then arrived and took over emergency care before transporting her to hospital.
A second person was also reportedly swept off their feet and surfaced further downstream before being transported to hospital.
No further details about either victim have been released by authorities.
Sabino Canyon is a popular 20-mile out-and-back cycling route in the Santa Catalina foothills northeast of Tucson, but it can become extremely dangerous during sudden monsoon-driven flash floods. More than one inch of rain fell on Wednesday night. Local rescue officials have long warned that even shallow, fast-moving water can sweep a person off their feet in seconds, while the canyon’s steep walls can make escape difficult once floodwaters rise.
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