Filipino drowns in Arizona creek after saving son

Gary Gaytano, 51, was able to save his son before he himself drowned in Fossil Creek, Arizona. GOFUNDME

STRAWBERRY, Arizona – Gila County authorities say a Phoenix-area Filipino man drowned at Fossil Creek in north-central Arizona.

County sheriff’s officials say 51-year-old Gary Gaytano was pronounced dead Sunday, July 21 after he jumped into the water to assist his struggling son near the falls at the popular swimming spot.

Fossil Creek in Arizona, where Gaytano drowned. GOOGLE MAPS

They say Gaytano helped his son get to the shore before the man slipped under water. He was located at the bottom of the pool a short time later and family members tried to revive him. But Gaytano was pronounced dead after paramedics arrived.

Fossil Creek sees about 90,000 visitors per year, far more than its facilities are equipped to handle. Since 2015, there have been seven drownings at Fossil Creek, reported the Payson Roundup.