A Texas couple, Ray and Maranda Ankofski, who went missing in Utah, are believed to have been swept away by a flash flood while riding their off-road utility vehicle (UTV) on a trail in the Moab area. The couple’s family informed FOX13 Salt Lake City that they were exploring the Steel Bender Off Road Trail and were last heard from on Friday before a severe thunderstorm hit the region.
Ray’s sister, Donna Stevens, mentioned that the couple were adventurous and had camped in similar places before, but they had not returned to their hotel for a few days. She also stated that this was likely their first time on the Steel Bender Trail. The storm caused flash flooding, which led to multiple hikers getting trapped in the area. The Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue successfully rescued around 20 stranded hikers during a six-hour operation.
Following the report of the couple’s disappearance on Monday, officials initiated a search and rescue mission. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office located the couple’s UTV in the Steel Bender Trail area. Chief Deputy Mike Palmer from the sheriff’s office mentioned that the UTV seemed to have been swept away by the flash flood and was found in a significantly damaged state. The couple’s belongings were scattered over a 3-mile stretch in a nearby canyon.
Palmer speculated that the UTV was likely pushed down the wash and off a waterfall by the flood, causing it to be damaged and the belongings to be spread out across the canyon. As of now, no further updates on the search for the missing couple have been provided. The family of the Ankofskis expressed their heartbreak and hope for any information on the couple’s whereabouts.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office shared a photo of Highway 128 covered in mud after the severe thunderstorm-induced flash flooding in the area. Ray and Maranda Ankofski’s situation is a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise while exploring the outdoors, especially during extreme weather conditions. It serves as a cautionary tale for adventurers to always be prepared and vigilant in such situations to ensure their safety.