Barefoot Woman and Dog Rescued from Utah Canyon After Flash Floods
In a dramatic rescue operation, a woman and her dog were saved from a treacherous situation in a Utah canyon after being swept away by flash floods. Officials have reported that the woman and her dog were carried a distance of at least 150 feet down the canyon by the force of the floodwaters.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team shared on Facebook that the woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, recounted her harrowing experience. She revealed that she heard the approaching flood and attempted to find higher ground. Managing to reach a sand bank above a creek with her loyal canine companion, the rising water eventually eroded the sand beneath them, leading to their sudden plunge into the torrential waters.
The daring rescue unfolded in the Mary Jane Canyon in Moab, Utah, last Thursday night. The woman, 38 years old, successfully triggered an SOS alert on her iPhone, a feature that provides her location information to emergency services.
At 7:22 PM on Thursday evening, the Grand County Sheriff’s office received her SOS text message, which included her location, but not the specific details of her distress. The message, however, prompted the sheriff’s Search and Rescue team to initiate action. Although the message lacked context, it revealed her location through geographic coordinates.
The rescue team dispatched hikers to ascend the canyon and also deployed a Classic Air Medical helicopter to aid in the search. Despite the helicopter’s inability to touch down in the canyon, its crew managed to spot the woman’s dog about two miles downstream from the initial coordinates. The helicopter team then relayed her position to the ground rescue unit.
The rescue team was able to reach the woman roughly 1.5 miles from the trailhead by 9:25 PM. Remarkably, she emerged from the ordeal without any injuries, despite the challenging circumstances.
The intense weather conditions and flash floods forced the woman’s shoes to come off during the ordeal. Stranded without proper footwear, she embarked on a barefoot hike to safety. When she initially sent the SOS message from her iPhone, she received a failed alert notification, leaving her under the impression that she was on her own to navigate the dangerous situation.
Upon realizing her SOS had not been received, the woman took the courageous decision to hike down the canyon barefoot alongside her loyal dog. By the time rescuers reached her, she was entirely covered in mud from head to toe.
A compassionate rescuer lent the woman a pair of shoes, facilitating the journey back to the trailhead. Reflecting on the incident, the Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team offered a vital safety tip for all adventurers. They urged individuals to meticulously research their planned routes, gain a thorough understanding of the terrain they will encounter, and stay updated with local weather forecasts, especially on the day of their expedition. Given the unpredictable nature of flash floods and swift-changing weather, staying well-prepared can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.