Ryan Taylor, 13, drowns in Las Vegas floodwaters after riding an inner tube and getting stuck under an SUV: horror video shows bystanders desperately trying to save him
- Ryan Taylor died from accidental drowning after falling into the water
- Cell phone video captured the moment he became trapped under an SUV
- The teen was taken to hospital and was pronounced dead on Sunday
The horrifying moment when a 13-year-old boy riding an inner tube in Las Vegas floodwaters drowned after becoming trapped under an SUV – as shocking video shows neighbors desperately trying to pull him free.
Ryan Taylor died in hospital early Sunday morning after being pushed on the bouncy castle by his friends during the flooding outside his apartment complex on Saturday.
It is believed Taylor swerved and fell into a ‘gully’ in the rushing water before becoming trapped under the vehicle. Dramatic cell phone footage showed family, neighbors and strangers trying to save him.
Medics attempted to resuscitate Taylor after he was pulled from the water without a heartbeat. The Clark County coroner’s office ruled his death an accidental drowning.
“My heart hurts so much, I love you so much Ryan. I’m going to miss you my love, I hope we gave you the best thirteen years of your life. Words cannot express how much this hurts,” Reynaga posted on Instagram the day Ryan died.
Taylor’s mom Irene Reynaga took to Instagram on Sunday to pay tribute to her firstborn son, who recently celebrated his thirteenth birthday on Aug. 27. Pictured: Ryan Taylor
Dramatic cell phone video shows family, neighbors and even strangers trying to rescue the young boy from under an SUV after playing in the water
Ryan Taylor with his younger sister and brother and their mother, Irene and their father, Mathew
“I wish this was all a dream. REST IN PEACE MY LOVE, WE WILL LOVE YOU AND CHERISH EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH YOU. I LOVE YOU FOREVER MY LOVE BOY,” her post continued.
Jennifer Webb, a resident who witnessed the children playing, recounted 3news what she saw before everything took a turn for the worse.
“He was waving to everyone like he was having a good time, and then he came around the bend, and it was like a gully,” Webb said.
Another resident, John Cruz, rushed over to help rescue Taylor, saying, “I didn’t know firsthand what was going on. The water is still pouring in hard, and I pushed through and finally helped get that boy out.”
Reynaga has since had one GoFundMe page in honor of her firstborn son, who had only recently celebrated his thirteenth birthday on August 27.
The fund has already raised $6,955, which exceeds the family’s original goal of $5,000 for Taylor’s funeral and memorial expenses.
On the fundraising page, Taylor’s mom said, “Ryan was such an amazing kid. He was so helpful to his siblings and had such a big heart.”
The teen’s father, Mathew Taylor, also honored his son by posting pictures of him on his Instagram story.
Ryan Taylor and his father Mathew Taylor who posted pictures on his Instagram story of his deceased son
Ryan Taylor who died after getting trapped under an SUV this weekend while riding an inner tube in Las Vegas floodwaters
The GoFundMe page Taylor’s mom created in his honor that surpassed the $5,000 goal
The city, which is reeling from the floods, is prepared for further downpours and remains on a flash flood warning until Saturday evening
In 2023, Vegas has had up to 3.9 inches of rain and on Friday alone there was a recorded rainfall of 0.88 inches – three times the monthly average in September
Flash flooding in Las Vegas swept through the city Friday as the filthy floodwaters swallowed roads, casinos and the Las Vegas Strip.
In 2023, Vegas has experienced up to 3.9 inches of rain and Friday alone saw a recorded rainfall of 0.88 inches, three times the September monthly average.
The National Weather Service has warned that further storms are likely and could lead to more flash flooding and excessive runoff.