Fire crews make swiftwater rescue Christmas Eve

RIMROCK – With Verde Valley rains swelling creeks Dec. 24, tragedy was narrowly averted at one crossing in Rimrock.

A small passenger vehicle was caught in swift water at a crossing on Kimberly’s Way near Cornville Road. The Copper Canyon Fire & Medical District, which was called at around 6:30 p.m., found the sole occupant on the roof of the vehicle, which had been swept about 300 feet downstream, according to CCFMD spokesperson Daniel Elliott, the battalion chief.

While on the phone with the occupant, crews from CCFMD and Verde Valley Fire District worked to reach the vehicle.

The occupant was taken to safety and evaluated by emergency medical services, then was released to personnel from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Drivers are reminded not to enter flooded washes, even if the water looks shallow enough to cross.