PIMA, Ariz. — Authorities in southeastern Arizona confirmed Monday that a 4-year-old girl who was swept away late Thursday by floodwaters did not survive.
Diane Cauthen, chief of police in Pima, told KTVK that the child, identified only as Maci, was found on the Gila River at about 8:30 a.m. Monday by a volunteer searcher.
Pima police told KOLD-TV that a woman and her children were on the roof of their vehicle Thursday when rising floodwaters pushed them downstream.
First responders were able to reach and rescue both parents, as well as three boys from the sport utility vehicle’s roof, but Maci could not be located, KNXV reported.
According to the National Weather Service, monsoon storms ravaged the state late Thursday, resulting in widespread flooding, power outages, damage and an estimated 30,000 lightning strikes between Gila and Maricopa counties, KTVK reported.
The Pima Police Department issued the following statement, obtained by KNXV, on Monday:
“Thank you to the outpouring of support from the community and governmental agencies. Without this support we would not have been able to locate Maci in this short amount of time. Unfortunately, Maci did not survive the incident. Our condolences go to the family.”
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