PHOENIX, Arizona — CAVE CREEK, Ariz. – Three people are lucky to be alive after getting swept by flood waters Wednesday morning in Cave Creek.
A driver and her two passengers had to be rescued from their van after attempting to cross a flooded roadway.
John Coppock grew up on the property where they were stuck.
“It could’ve been very, very bad for all three of the women in the vehicle,” Coppock said.
That wasn’t hard to believe when you take a look at where their van was stuck—in this Cave Creek wash flooded after a night of heavy rain. The icy water reached above the van’s seats.
“Usually it’s a lot higher,” Coppock said.
Coppock said he was used to helping drivers who get stuck here.
Wednesday morning, it was a family friend trying to catch a flight.
“… and the niece said, ‘Yeah, just go fast,’ which is the wrong thing to do and they ended up floating down the river. Luckily a boulder caught them or they would’ve flipped over,” Coppock said.
This time, rescue crews and a chopper had to be called in for the job. It was a chilling reminder for drivers to never cross a flooded roadway.