Tragedy struck as two girls lost their lives and another was left in critical condition following an off-road incident in Lower Eagle Creek, as reported by the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities arrived at the scene of a rollover accident involving a family around 5:30 p.m. on April 18. When they arrived, deputies found an off-road vehicle fully underwater.
Sheriff Eric Ellison noted the challenges in determining the precise crash site due to the rough and twisting landscape, coupled with poor service in the area. He was the initial member from the Sheriff’s Office to find the family.
According to Ellison, the incident took place in a section of the creek that was 3 feet deep, where the family was attempting to cross. Both sides reach a depth of approximately 8 feet.
The parents seated in the front shared with Ellison that they exited the 3-foot-deep trail, causing the side-by-side to overturn into the deeper section.
The tragic incident claims the lives of two young girls, aged 4 and 10, in a drowning accident. One girl remained trapped within the vehicle as it submerged, while the other was saved but unfortunately could not be brought back to life.
A 3-year-old girl has been transported to a Tucson hospital in critical condition. As of April 21, she remained in the intensive care unit.
Footage released by the Sheriff’s Office revealed that personnel from the Arizona Department of Public Safety utilized a helicopter to access the accident site, along with all-terrain vehicles. Additional agencies that responded were Morenci Fire, Morenci Swift Water Rescue, Greenlee County Search and Rescue, and Greenlee EMS.
The local community played a crucial role in the rescue efforts. Ellison stated that the crash site could only be reached using a side-by-side, rather than any other off-road vehicle. Onlookers provided their vehicles to assist officials or transported them to the scene.