A family of 3 is safe after their car was swept away in Escalante Creek. Thursday, April 28, 2022, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Mesa County Search and Rescued worked through the night to rescue a family stranded by rising waters from spring runoff. 

The family from New York was driving on Escalante Road when their truck got stuck trying to cross Escalante Creek. The family was able to get out onto higher ground before their truck was submerged. 

When rescue crews arrived, the water was about 4-5 feet deep and moving quickly. Two of the three family members were still stranded on the far side of the creek bank. Swift-water rescue swimmers safely brought them back across and removed the submerged truck.

As the days get warmer, more snow is melting and filling our local waterways. It’s important to remember with spring runoff, water levels will increase with the heat of the day, typically peaking after nightfall, especially in smaller waterways. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, and just a foot of rushing water can carry away a car. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk across a body of fast-moving water.