TUCSON, Arizona. A frightening rescue unfolded Thursday after floodwater swept a young woman from a bridge and into Sabino Creek.

The incident delivered a blunt reminder that monsoon danger can persist long after the rain clouds have moved elsewhere.

A family was attempting to cross Sabino Canyon Bridge number one while water from Sabino Creek rushed across the bridge surface.

The crossing looked dangerous, and the current quickly proved that appearances can be dangerously deceiving.

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A 20 year old woman riding her bicycle was knocked from the bike and thrown into the rushing water.

The current dragged her beneath the surface and carried her under the bridge, putting her life in immediate jeopardy.

Family members and Good Samaritans rushed to help despite the obvious danger to themselves.

Their quick response became a desperate effort to pull the woman from water powerful enough to overwhelm even experienced swimmers.

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When the woman emerged on the other side of the bridge, rescuers began performing CPR near the edge of the creek.

Those critical moments showed just how quickly an ordinary outing can become a fight for survival during Arizona monsoon season.

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Early information from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department indicated that two people were taken to a hospital.

Both were reported to be in stable condition following the harrowing rescue.

The dangerous conditions began developing hours before the incident.

KGUN9 weather radar showed steady rain, with periods of heavy rainfall, falling on Mount Lemmon shortly before midnight and continuing for more than five hours.

That prolonged rain flowed down the mountainside and poured into Sabino Creek.

By the time the water reached the bridge, it was moving rapidly and carrying tremendous force through the canyon.

Monsoon storms do not need to be directly overhead for conditions to become deadly downstream.

Sunshine at one location can create a false sense of security while runoff from distant rainfall races through washes, creeks, and canyon crossings.

KGUN9 spoke with hikers Alek Shapiro and Enzo Mele as they returned from a hike in the area.

Both men said they had been carefully watching the rising and fast moving floodwater.

Shapiro warned visitors against treating the conditions casually.

“I think if you're joking around and not willing to be cautious and take Mother Nature for what it is, things can get out of hand very quick.”

Mele offered similar advice for anyone considering hiking during the remainder of monsoon season.

“I would say just you know if you're going to hit the trails this weekend or any time really for the rest of summer monsoon season, just you know really be vigilant out there.”

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the public must understand the enormous power of rapidly moving water.

A current capable of moving a heavy vehicle is not something a pedestrian, cyclist, or even a strong swimmer can safely challenge.

Nanos dismissed the idea that training or confidence makes such a crossing acceptable.

“I don't care what level of expertise you have, what you think your skill sets may or may not be. Why are you risking that? There's five or six people there, who thank goodness, but really scary. They risked their lives to save these two people, and and and I am so grateful for them.”

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The rescue ended with both hospitalized people reportedly stable, but the outcome could easily have been far worse.

The civilians who entered the danger to save them also faced the possibility of being pulled into the violent current.

The episode offers a clear lesson for anyone traveling through Arizona canyon country during monsoon season.

If water is crossing a bridge or trail, turning around is not cowardice, it is common sense, something nature has a brutal way of teaching.

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