Texas Couple Appears to Have Been Swept Away in Moab Flood

Search-and-rescue efforts for a Texas couple who disappeared in Moab, Utah, have been reclassified as a recovery effort, officials said this week. Ray and Maranda Ankofski were on their annual off-roading trip to Moab on June 21 when they did not return to their hotel. Severe thunderstorms had hit the area, and officials believe the Ankofsis’ UTV was swept away in the flood.

Authorities have not yet found the couple, but rescuers did find their heavily damaged UTV abandoned, and Ray Ankofski’s pants, wallet, and ID in a tree near Steel Bender trail. Officials said their mission now is to give the Ankofski family some closure.

The Ankofskis’ accident is a tragic reminder to keep your head on a swivel at all times on the trail. Even on clear days, thunderstorms can come up fast, and out in the desert storms are a huge threat. Dry, hard ground tends to shed water, and canyons become sluices with alarming speed. Our thoughts go out to the Ankofski family.

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