A multi-agency rescue operation pulled a man to safety after flash flooding trapped him in fast-moving water Saturday in Green River, Utah.
The Emery County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) received the emergency call shortly after 4 p.m. reporting a man stranded in a wash in the southern part of Green River, according to a post Sunday. The first deputy on scene immediately requested backup as water rushed around the victim.
Rescue teams converged on the scene. Another deputy brought rope rescue equipment while Green River city employees arrived with a front-end loader, the ECSO said, adding that the Green River Fire Department was contacted. A local resident arrived with a raft shortly after and jumped into the rescue effort.
The team secured the raft to the front-end loader before Deputy Josh Opp and local Kent Nelson paddled through the churning water to reach the victim, according to footage posted by the ECSO. After getting a life jacket on the man, crews on shore reeled the raft and victim in to safety. (RELATED: ROOKE: Texas Flash Flood Brings Important Issue Into Perspective)
Caught on camera: Man rescued from flash flood in Green River https://t.co/LQRmtsKE8S
— FOX 13 News Utah (@fox13) September 15, 2025
Emergency responders took the man to the hospital with minor wounds.
“A HUGE thank you to Green River Fire Department, Green River City Public Works crew, Utah Highway Patrol, Classic Air Medical, and any other Green River citizens that jumped in to help at this time of need,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “The actions provided by the citizens were priceless. They put themselves in danger to rescue a perfect stranger.”
The ECSO noted the victim wasn’t from the area, but that didn’t stop rescuers from risking their own safety. “They were all cold and wet, working together to rescue to a very scared person that could have been swept away at any second. To all involved, your actions today absolutely saved a life. BRAVO!!!”