An elderly married couple's kayaking trip in Arizona over the weekend ended in tragedy after their inflatable boat capsized and they both drowned.
Cindy Bowers, 68, and Anthony Beringer, 59, of Chandler, were found dead under water after becoming stranded in Salt River on Saturday.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it first received a report of a man yelling in the lower region of the river at around 1.30pm.
It is believed his screams were a bid to alert people that his wife was in trouble after their inflatable kayak capsized and she could not swim, the police said.
Deputies said they arrived at the scene to help the couple but that they were nowhere to be seen.
Finally at around 2.11pm, Bowers' body was recovered by helicopter.
Search crews then continued looking for her husband, ultimately locating him about 45 minutes later, at around 3pm.
An investigation into the drowning deaths is ongoing, but deputies noted that neither the husband nor wife were wearing life jackets when they were found floating downstream.
Cindy Bowers, 68, (pictured) and her husband, Anthony Beringer, 59, of Chandler, were found dead under water after becoming stranded in Salt River on Saturday. Source: FACEBOOK / Cindy Bowers
Beringer was heard screaming at around 1.30pm that his wife was in danger after their inflatable kayak capsized and she could not swim. Source: FACEBOOK / Cindy Bowers
Due to heavy rainfall in Arizona during the Halloween weekend, the National Weather Service issued a 'flood warning' for the area
Bowers' social media page shows she had ventured out into the river at least once before.
But following the tragedy, the sheriff's office warned others on social media to 'use caution and stay away from the Lower Salt River as Salt River Project (SRP) releases higher-than-normal water levels.'
Due to heavy rainfall in Arizona during the Halloween weekend, the National Weather Service issued a 'flood warning' for the area, which remains in effect through November 7, according to News 12.
To help control the floodwater, the Salt River Project had released additional water from the Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams to make space in reservoirs.
'Increased flows can create dangerous currents and rapidly changing conditions,' MCSO said.
'Additionally, heavy rainfall across the County can cause flooding and water to flow across roadways. Never attempt to drive or walk through flowing water. Please use caution and stay safe!'
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