Tragic flash flood claims life of tourist near Grand Canyon
Near the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the body of a tourist swept away by a swollen tributary of the Colorado River has been found. Missing for three days, Chenoa Nickerson, a 33-year-old resident of Phoenix, was discovered approximately 20 miles from where a massive flash flood occurred.
The missing woman's body was found by participants of a Colorado River tour on Sunday around 6:30 PM GMT. Chenoa Nickerson is the only fatality caused by the flood, which hit the Grand Canyon in the American state of Arizona on Thursday following heavy rains.
Nickerson was without a life jacket when she was swept away by the waters of Havasu Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. The search involved US Army helicopters, ground units, and boats. Over a hundred people were rescued.
The search focused on the area where Havasu Creek flows into the Colorado River, as well as on the lands belonging to the Havasupai Native American tribe, which also requested assistance due to the flood. UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were used in the evacuation effort.
Tragic end to the Grand Canyon trip
Chenoa Nickerson was staying at a campsite near the small village of Supai in the Havasupai Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The swollen stream waters swept her away as she walked along it.
As reported by the Havasupai Tribal Council on Sunday, all hiking trails leading to Supai became impassable. This is a very popular area among tourists. There are famous waterfalls there, including the 98-foot-high Havasu Falls.
Thus, during the flash flood, many tourists were present who had no way of escaping the streams of rapidly rising water.
This tragedy reminds us of the power and destructive effects of weather phenomena such as flash floods. Particular caution must be exercised during trips to areas like the Grand Canyon.
