51-year-old man dies saving two kids swept into river, Arizona sheriff says

A 51-year-old man died after saving two youths who were swept off a sandbar in the Colorado River, Arizona sheriff’s officials reported.

Jeffrey Brady of Yuma swam after the two youths, who were pulled from the shallows at a Horseshoe Island sandbar by the current at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday, July 5, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Brady helped keep the two youths afloat until a nearby boat could rescue them, then was seen struggling in the water, deputies said.

He sank into the river and did not resurface, deputies said.

Searchers discovered his body at 7:20 p.m., deputies said.

His death remains under investigation. Detectives ask anyone with information to call 928-783-4427.

Yuma is about a 185-mile drive southwest from Phoenix.

This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM with the headline "51-year-old man dies saving two kids swept into river, Arizona sheriff says."