26 hikers stranded near Tucson carried to safety by helicopter

PHOENIX — For the second time in two weeks, a large group of stranded hikers had to be rescued from a flooded recreation area in southern Arizona.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter ferried 26 hikers stranded by flooding in a canyon near Tucson to safe ground Sunday. The group was in the Seven Falls-Bear Canyon area.

A week ago, over a dozen hikers were trapped by rushing water near Tanque Verde Falls just outside Tucson and about 13 miles from Seven Falls.

Earlier in July, a flash flood claimed the lives of 10 from the Phoenix area. The Garnica-Garcia family was celebrating a birthday at a swimming hole in a central Arizona forest.

A flash flood warning went into place Sunday for the Seven Falls area in Sabino Canyon a few hours before the hikers were trapped.

Sabino Cyn, Bear Cyn, 7 Falls under flash flood warning. Hikers urged to head down trail.

— Pima County Sheriff (@PimaSheriff) July 30, 2017

Volunteers from the Southern Arizona Rescue Association also assisted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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