Quick 911 call helps rescue man at Colorado River near Yuma

Grace Lyons turned a Sunday at the Colorado River into a rescue when she noticed a man in distress and called 911 right away, prompting a response that ended with the man being rescued and no further injuries reported.

The incident near Yuma is a reminder that water emergencies can escalate fast and often without much warning. Local officials have repeatedly emphasized that the safest move when someone appears to be in trouble is to call 911 immediately, because every minute matters when a person is struggling in the river.

The City of Yuma says 911 is for emergency situations that require immediate police, fire or medical response. In a river emergency, that means getting help on the way as soon as danger is seen, not waiting to see whether the situation improves on its own. The city has also installed mile marker signs along the Colorado River to help visitors identify where they are and give emergency personnel a clearer location during a response.

That system matters in a region where the Colorado River remains a major draw for families, boaters and day visitors, but also a setting where danger can be hard to spot. The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance was formed in fall 2023 to raise awareness, promote water safety education and reduce drownings in Yuma County. The city says that effort will continue when its 2026 Water Safety Campaign launches in May, marking the third year of a coordinated countywide push to prevent drownings and promote safer water practices.

Grace Lyons’ actions fit that larger public-safety effort. She noticed something was wrong, acted without delay and used the emergency system the way officials say it is meant to be used. In a river setting where conditions can change quickly and silently, that split-second decision can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

For Yuma-area residents and visitors, the lesson from Sunday’s rescue is straightforward: pay attention, trust your instincts and call 911 at once if someone in the Colorado River appears to be in distress. Use nearby mile markers or any other landmarks to help responders find the scene quickly.