Utah first responders, civilians pull man from rushing floodwaters near Green River
Rescuers used a kayak, a life vest and a rope to bring the stranded man to safety after the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning
Multiple agencies and civilians raced Saturday afternoon to rescue a man stranded in fast-moving floodwaters along Airport Road on the south side of Green River in Emery County, Utah, officials said.
The Emery County Sheriff’s Office responded around 4 p.m. after receiving reports that a person was trapped in the rushing water. Members of the Green River Fire Department and Emery County Public Works arrived on scene and deployed a front loader while rescue crews launched a kayak to reach the man.
A civilian, identified by authorities as Kent Nelson, and Emery County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Opp reached the man in the kayak, secured him with a life vest and rope, and were pulled back to shore, the sheriff’s office said. Video released by the Emery County Sheriff’s Office shows the high-stakes effort and the moment the man was brought to safety across the rushing water.
“The actions provided by the citizens were priceless. They put themselves in danger to rescue a perfect stranger,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “The victim is not from our area and no one knew him, but that did not matter to any of them. They were all cold and wet, working together to rescue a very scared person that could have been swept away at any second.”
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a Flash Flood Warning for Emery County Saturday afternoon, shortly before the rescue occurred. The NWS reported rainfall totals of between 2.5 and 4 inches in parts of Seleratus Wash. After a brief reprieve from rain earlier in the week, showers and thunderstorms returned to the region on Friday and were forecast to continue through at least Saturday.
Flash flooding poses a particular hazard in Utah’s arid and canyon-filled landscape, where intense storms can produce rapid runoff and funnel water into narrow washes and roads. Authorities routinely warn residents and visitors to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters, which can rise and move quickly.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately release the man’s name or additional details about his condition. No other injuries were reported. The agency thanked the civilians and multiple responding units for their actions that led to the successful rescue.
Video and statements from local authorities underscore the speed with which conditions changed and the importance of rapid response when flash flood warnings are issued. The incident remains under review by local officials, who continue to monitor weather conditions in the county.