A dramatic rescue unfolded in Wickenburg on November 18, as a sudden surge of water and debris swept two vehicles down a local wash, prompting urgent action from emergency responders. The events began when road officials closed access due to dangerous conditions, prompting the occupants of a minivan and a truck to turn around, but floodwaters quickly overtook them.
Sandy Humphries, one of the individuals trapped in the minivan, described the terrifying experience as she communicated with her son, John. “So cold and I don’t swim… and you’re in a car — that had to have been terrifying,” she recalled. John was relieved to learn that fire department crews were on the scene, assuring him that they would rescue her. “You’re gonna be fine,” he told her, urging her to stay in the vehicle.
As the situation unfolded, Wickenburg Police Chief Les Brown reported on the rescues performed under severe conditions. Officers had just closed the road when the vehicles were struck by a sudden wall of water and debris. “They tried to back up, but a wall of water came down and hit both vehicles,” he explained. The truck was ultimately thrown a quarter-mile down the wash, eventually found buried in mud and branches.
Fire crews were strategically positioned along the riverbank, prepared for swift action to save lives. Wickenburg Fire Battalion Chief Tony Christofferson detailed the rescue plans: if a car occupant managed to escape, they aimed to drag them back to safety using emergency equipment. In a courageous act, an officer waded into the churning water, secured himself with a rope, and successfully rescued Sandy and her dog from the vehicle, despite admitting that he took a significant personal risk.
Both Sandy’s minivan and the larger truck faced perilous conditions, but thanks to the rapid response of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Fox 1 team, Sandy and two others were airlifted to safety. “Thank you for everybody: police, fire, sheriffs, hospital, everybody,” expressed John Humphries in gratitude.
The successful rescues, occurring just moments apart, underscored the bravery and dedication of local first responders. In light of this incident, officials have taken preventive measures to ensure road safety during adverse weather, closing highways at higher points to mitigate future risks from sudden floodwaters. Sandy Humphries emphasized her perspective on life, saying, “When it’s time for me to leave, the good lord will take me,” showing resilience and gratitude in the face of danger.