Heartbreak has struck the community of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, following the devastating loss of a mother and her young daughter, who were swept away by floodwaters over the weekend. The tragic incident has left family members, first responders, and local residents reeling as they mourn the lives of 46-year-old Leila Seyed Faraji and her 7-year-old daughter, Rosa Faraji.
According to the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the family was traveling on Sunday, April 20, when their vehicle became stranded in rising waters near Leonard, just outside of Tulsa. They had been en route to visit friends when, in an unfortunate turn of events, they took a wrong turn and found themselves on a flooded bridge spanning a creek that feeds into the Arkansas River.
Authorities say that after the car became disabled, the father and the couple’s 10-year-old daughter were able to climb onto another vehicle and reach higher ground, ultimately making it to safety. However, Leila Seyed Faraji and young Rosa were unable to escape the surging waters and were carried away by the powerful current.
Search and rescue operations began immediately, involving multiple agencies including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local fire departments, and specialized water rescue teams. Crews worked tirelessly through difficult and dangerous conditions to locate the missing mother and daughter.
On Monday afternoon, just after 5 p.m., Oklahoma Highway Patrol boat crews recovered the body of Rosa Faraji along the Arkansas River, bringing the desperate search to a heartbreaking end. Her mother, Leila, had been found earlier during the search efforts.
“This concludes the search along the Arkansas River,” the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said in a somber statement. “TCSO would like to thank all the agencies who played a role in the search.”
The Bixby Fire Department also confirmed Leila’s identity and offered condolences to the family, praising the bravery of all rescue workers involved in the arduous search operation.
The tragic accident underscores the deadly risk posed by floodwaters, especially during spring storm seasons in Oklahoma. Officials continue to urge drivers to avoid flooded roadways and to heed the warnings, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” as just a few inches of moving water can be enough to sweep away a vehicle.
The loss of Leila and Rosa has devastated their family and shocked the local community. Friends and neighbors remember Leila as a devoted mother who cherished her daughters above all else, and Rosa as a bright, joyful child who loved school, nature, and spending time with her family.
Plans for memorial services for Leila Seyed Faraji and Rosa Faraji are being made, with family members requesting privacy as they grieve this unimaginable loss. A GoFundMe page has been created by friends of the family to assist with funeral expenses and support the surviving father and daughter as they navigate life after this devastating tragedy.
As the community comes together to mourn, the memory of Leila’s kindness and Rosa’s bright spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew them.