Local News
Leila Faraji and 7-Year-Old Daughter Rosa Faraji dead after being swept away by flood waters near Bixby
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the recovery of the body of 7-year-old Rosa Faraji, who was swept away by floodwaters near Bixby, Oklahoma, over the weekend.
The discovery comes after an extensive multi-agency search that began following the incident.
Rosa’s body was found around 5:00 p.m. on Monday in the Arkansas River near Leonard, hours after the body of her mother, 46-year-old Leila Seyed Faraji, was recovered from the same area earlier that morning at approximately 9:00 a.m.
The family had been visiting the area when they reportedly took a wrong turn and attempted to cross a flooded bridge over a creek, according to the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
“They thought they could make it through, but unfortunately, the vehicle was overtaken by the water,” said Casey Roebuck, Communications Director for the TCSO. The family of four included a father, mother, and two young daughters.
Authorities say the vehicle was swept away, resulting in the tragic loss of Leila and Rosa.
The father and the second daughter managed to escape and survive the incident.
Roebuck described the emotional toll on the surviving family members, saying, “They’re devastated, understandably. You have a family of four that, in a matter of seconds, became a family of two. They’re now mourning the loss of a mother and a child. Our hearts absolutely go out to them.”
The recovery effort involved a massive coordinated response from multiple agencies.
“We had search dogs from Oklahoma Task Force 1, aerial support from Tulsa Police Department helicopters, drones, ground crews combing the riverbanks on foot, side-by-side utility vehicles, and multiple boats in the water since the search began,” Roebuck said.
While the outcome was heartbreaking, officials hope the recovery brings some sense of closure to the grieving family.
“They don’t have to wonder now where their wife and daughter are,” Roebuck added. “They can honor their customs and begin the process of laying their loved ones to rest.”
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to all responding agencies and asked the public to keep the Faraji family in their thoughts during this difficult time.
HARTFORD, IL — An ARCH Air Medical helicopter crashed and caught fire during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois, shortly after 9:00 p.m. Wednesday.
The crash occurred near the intersection of South Delmar Avenue and West Hawthorne Street, just across from a local fire station in Madison County.
According to initial reports, the aircraft struck a tree approximately 50 feet off the ground while attempting to lift off.
The impact caused the helicopter to flip and crash, igniting a fire upon impact.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing two individuals exit the helicopter as it caught fire.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes, rescuing the individuals and working quickly to extinguish the flames. A third person was later recovered from the scene.
Officials confirmed that three individuals involved in the crash were transported to area hospitals — two by ground ambulance and one by air.
Their conditions have not yet been released, and no fatalities have been reported at this time.
The crash site is located just yards from a fire station, which allowed first responders to begin rescue and fire suppression efforts almost immediately.
Authorities from local and federal agencies are currently investigating the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been notified and are expected to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.
The helicopter was conducting a standard training operation at the time of the incident. ARCH Air Medical, a critical care air transport provider serving the Midwest, has not yet issued an official statement.
This remains a developing story.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.