On Wednesday, September 16, authorities announced that three people died after floodwaters swept them away on the Navajo Nation. The victims’ family confirmed their identities Friday, identifying them as a 7-year-old girl and two women.
Source said the drowning incident occurred in Two Grey Hills.
The victims were Elsie Begay, her best friend Dora Franklin, and Begay’s granddaughter, Lucy Allison Mike, 7.
Begay and Franklin were both employees of the Department of Education.
Meanwhile, Lucy Allison Mike was a third grader who was supposed to celebrate her birthday next Tuesday. The youngest identified victim had just been crowned Miss Sanostee Day School on September 4.
The Begay family is asking for prayers. You can find information on how to donate and help with funeral expenses here.
To recall, the Navajo Police Department said its Shiprock District responded to a possible drowning at around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Officers received a report of floodwaters sweeping people away near a flooded area in Newcomb.
Responding officers found two adults and a juvenile who had drowned when they searched the scene. Police said all three died in the incident.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has appealed for privacy as he thanked first responders. He also extended his condolences to the victims’ loved ones.
