Authorities and volunteers are searching for a missing 16-year-old who was swept away by rising waters brought on by severe thunderstorms.
At 9:40 p.m. July 24, crews from the Verde Valley Fire, Cottonwood Fire and Police departments were dispatched to reports of a vehicle that was stranded in a low water crossing, according to a press release from the Verde Valley Fire Department.
The 16-year-old driver called 911 saying she was stranded and that the water was up to her knees, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
While authorities were attempting to rescue the girl, she was swept out of her vehicle by the water and washed downstream near the intersection of Camino Real and Arrowhead Lane.
Crews immediately sent out search and rescue teams that began looking for the girl downstream from the Camino Real to State Route 260.
Crews from the Verde Valley Fire, Cottonwood Fire and Police departments, as well as Yavapai County Sheriffs Office deputies and volunteers from the community, are actively searching the area.
The girl was last seen wearing blue shorts, a light blue shirt and white tennis shoes. Initially, authorities were asking for the public’s help in searching for the girl, but since then a large number of community volunteers came out to assist in the search.
“At this time, there is an abundance of volunteers and we are no longer seeking the public’s assistance with the search. We appreciate the astounding number of citizens willing to assist this family with us. Thank you,” the Cottonwood Police Department said in a statement on social media.
Because of active storms, searching from the air was impossible last night. However, authorities are currently utilizing drones in the search July 25. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has also sent an airboat to assist in the search.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
