Missing: Woman swept away in floodwaters while crossing San Pedro River

A search is underway in Cochise County for a woman who was swept away by rising floodwaters while crossing the San Pedro River early Thursday morning.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office said Border Patrol contacted deputies around 2:19 a.m. about the incident. Five people had been taken into custody near Naco after crossing into the United States. Investigators said the group tried to cross the river around 12:30 a.m., when the current was moving quickly.

The missing woman is described as Hispanic and believed to be between 45 and 50 years old. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt and black jeans. Search crews later found clothing believed to match that description, including black pants, a gray shirt, black shoes and another black shirt.

The Sheriff’s Office used search teams, a Department of Public Safety helicopter and drones. High water initially restricted the effort, but crews expanded the search after water levels fell. Operations were paused Thursday morning while more personnel and resources were gathered, and officials said the search was expected to resume Friday with additional teams, including human remains detection dogs.