Searchers Say All Missing In Grand Canyon Located

By CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) – Authorities say they have accounted for a handful of hikers who were missing after flooding struck a remote part of the Grand Canyon.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Gerry Blair said Tuesday that 11 people from two families were located. He couldn’t immediately say how or where they had been found.

Blair says authorities are still getting calls from people who believe their loved ones may be in the canyon. They plan to check the hiking trails and surrounding gorges by helicopter and foot when the water recedes.

Helicopters ferried about 255 people out of the canyon Sunday and Monday after extremely strong thunderstorms soaked the area and caused creeks to swell.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)