SAD NEWS: BBC Breakfast issues tragic de@th announcement just minutes into show
BBC Breakfast issued a bulletin minutes into the show.
Emma Vardy announced the sad de@th news at the start of the show (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast issued a heartbreaking de@th announcement just minutes into the show on Monday, August 31. Roger Johnson and Emma Vardy were the stand-in hosts for the Bank Holiday episode, as they welcomed viewers to the show.
Emma confirmed the tragic de@th as she continued: “Waters began to rise in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area on Saturday, sweeping away boulders and foot bridges. The National Park Service began airlifting campers and hikers to safety on Sunday morning.”
The organisation confirmed the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, in northern Arizona. The man’s identity has not yet been released
62 people have been airlifted out of the area. Nicki Baggs, 41, who was airlifted out of the bottom of the Grand Canyon with two other friends, told the BBC: “The whole thing was terrifying. It was a beautiful day and then people were screaming, running.”
US National Weather Service meteorologist Darren McCollum explained that rain just a few hours earlier meant that “when the main storm moved in, torrential rain fell on everything that was already soaked, and that caused all the problems that we’re seeing”.
15 people are still missing in the Grand Canyon (Image: BBC)
A flash flood watch is in effect in the Grand Canyon area through Monday evening, with more showers and thunderstorms in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency warned: “Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas. Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC1.
