Children, 2 And 4, Die After Swept Away By Rushing Waters At Picnic Area: Cops

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY — A 4-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother died after they were swept away in rushing waters during a day trip in San Bernardino County, according to authorities.

The two children and their mother arrived shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Thurman Flats Picnic Area near Mountain Home Village, authorities said. The trio were playing near the water when, around 3 p.m., the mother was attending to her son and her daughter was taken downstream, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The mother searched for the girl but couldn’t find her and then realized her son had disappeared while she was looking for her daughter, authorities said. She contacted another family at the picnic area to help look for the siblings but their search was unsuccessful, according to the department.

Law enforcement, fire and U.S. Forest Service personnel responded at about 4 p.m., authorities said. The girl was found around 4:40 p.m. and the boy was located shortly after 5 p.m., both near the water’s edge, according to the department. The siblings were taken to hospitals and pronounced dead, authorities said.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s Yucaipa Station at 909-918-2305, or anonymously contact 1-800-782-7463 or visit www.wetip.com.