Two young girls have died, and a third is in critical condition after a UTV accident ended in their vehicle becoming completely submerged in a creek.
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According to a report by AZ Central, Deputies at the Greenlee County Sheriff's Office responded to a 'rollover side-by-side accident' on April 18 at around 5:30 PM. The incident claimed the lives of a 10-year-old and her four-year-old sister. Emergency Services transported a 3-year-old girl to hospital in critical condition.
When officers arrived, they found an off-road vehicle 'completely submerged.' Sheriff Ellison explained that the unforgiving terrain in Lower Eagle Creek made it difficult to track down the vehicle. He also said there was a lack of phone coverage in the area.
The outlet explains that the crash occurred on a part of the creek that is three feet deep. The sides dipped to roughly eight feet. According to the Daily Mail, the Miranda family were on a camping trip during the Easter weekend and decided to ride up to the creek.
The parents were in the front seats of the UTV at the time. However, the vehicle went off the shallower path and rolled into the deep portion. Both girls drowned in the accident. One was trapped in the side-by-side as it sank. Emergency Services rescued the other but could not revive her.
The Third Daughter Is In Intensive Care
Per a
press release by Sheriff Ellison, "This accident resulted in two deceased and one in critical condition." AZ Central explains that Authorities rushed the three-year-old to Tucson hospital. Doctors admitted her to the Intensive Care Unit. Ellison also thanked people who loaned their side-by-sides to first responders so they could quickly reach the location.The press release also includes a short video of the rescue effort. Visibility is poor as the light is fading. A rescuer is seen rappelling down from a helicopter due to the terrain.
Carolina Hernandez has set up a GoFundMe to help the family with funeral costs. The fundraiser names the children who died in the accident as Gia and Mia. The three-year-old in the ICU is Xia Miranda.
