SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ — Emergency crews responded to reports of people trapped in an overflowed wash in the San Tan Valley area on Friday afternoon.
The Pinal County Sheriffs Office said they received a call of two people stuck in the Queen Creek wash off of Kenworthy Road in San Tan Valley near Combs Road around 2 p.m.
According to PCSO officials, a 23-year-old man and 31-year-old woman were trying to cross the wash on foot when the woman fell into the water. The man reportedly jumped in after to get her, but the currents were too strong and they couldn't get out, deputies said.
“ I didn’t know it was that deep, or rushing that fast, and you don’t know it until you’re in it. I was in there for 45 minutes, and I literally thought I was going to die today,” said Breanna, the woman who fell into the water. "I finally grabbed that tree and I knew we needed to grab something and grabbed that tree and just held on as hard as I could.”
Additional deputies and search and rescue teams responded to the scene and were able to get a tow line to the man and woman and waited with them until a Department of Public Safety helicopter arrived to assist with getting them out.
"This is a dangerous reminder to stay clear of the washes. It doesn't matter if you are in your car or on foot. You are putting yourselves and the lives of first responders in danger when we try to save you," said Sheriff Mark Lamb. "We want to thank DPS and Rural Metro Fire Department for their assistance in helping these two individuals get out of the wash safely."
“ I just closed my eyes I was so grateful that I was out of there. I was so scared the whole time,” Breanna said.
Additional information was not immediately available.
