Two hikers and dog rescued at Red Rock Canyon

By Jackie Valley

Monday, Dec. 20, 2010 | 2:25 p.m.

Metro's search and rescue team retrieved two people and their dog Sunday night after they got stuck on the other side of swiftly moving water while hiking at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Police said the hikers became stranded when rainwater flooded several washes where they were walking, blocking their route out of the area.

Officials from the search and rescue team said the water was about 4 feet deep and 20 feet wide, moving about 10 mph.

To rescue the male, female and dog, police said two officers used safety lines and employed shallow-water crossing techniques to reach them and bring them back to safety.

The search and rescue team responds to swift-water calls about once or twice a year, officials said.

According to the National Weather Service reporting station at Kyle Canyon, when rescue workers were called, that area had nearly 2 inches of rain since noon Sunday and had had about 3.74 inches of rain in the previous 24 hours.