Kayaker Rescued From Arizona's Salt River by Police Helicopter

A kayaker was rescued from Arizona’s Salt Lake by helicopter on Sunday afternoon, March 19, local authorities said.

Footage released by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies hoisting a man out of the Salt River.

The incident “could have ended in tragedy”, the sheriff’s office said, however, the kayaker was wearing a life jacket, which “played a huge role in a positive outcome”.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Phoenix said water was flowing “much stronger than usual”, creating dangerous currents.

A flood warning was in effect for the Salt and Verde below the big dams and past Granite Reef Dam through the Greater Phoenix area, the NWS said. Credit: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office via Storyful