Family Missing After Flood Invade Central Arizona

Nine people are dead and one is missing after flash flooding swept away a family at a swimming hole in central Arizona, police say.

Fourteen family members were near the Cold Springs Swimming Hole on Saturday afternoon when heavy rains caused flash floods, said Sgt. David Hornung with the Gila County Sheriff’s Department.

The victims have not been identified. Police said Sunday that six children between the ages of 2 and 13 are among the dead, and the oldest victim was in their late 60s.

The missing family member is a 27-year-old male, Hornung told CNN Sunday.

Four family members were rescued Saturday afternoon, said Hornung. They were taken to hospital with hypothermia, CNN affiliate KNXV reported.

KNXV in Phoenix tweeted a photo showing the conditions in the area.

The photo showed the grim aftermath of Saturday’s flooding, which left behind an avalanche of mud and rock that flowed into the swimming hole. The station also posted raw video of a helicopter rescue operation in the area showing muddy water cascading over rock.

KNXV said dozens of people had been swimming in the river when the flooding occurred and quoted Medical District Fire chief Ron Sattelmaier as saying there was no way of knowing how many people were actually present.

“It’s pretty much recovery (now). We don’t believe there’s anybody left out there,” Sattelmaier said.

A search and rescue mission was underway for the missing family members. The Gila County Sheriff’s Office, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter, Whispering Pines Fire Department and US Forest Service participated in the effort.