13-year-old drowns after riding an inner tube in Las Vegas floodwaters and becoming trapped under a vehicle

A 13-year-old boy drowned after floating on an inner tube while playing in floodwaters in East Valley, Las Vegas.

The teen, identified as Ryan Taylor by the Clark County Coroner's Office, was found at 3:17 p.m. Saturday in the 5600 block of Boulder Highway, near Tropicana Avenue.

Local witnesses, such as Jennifer Webb, said the teen turned a corner on the inner tube and fell into a “gully.”

“He was greeting everyone like he was having a good time and then he came around that curve there,” Ms Webb told 3News.

Another nearby resident, named John Cruz, joined in to try to save Mr. Taylor who was trapped under the car. “I didn’t know directly what was happening. The water continued to flow hard, and I managed to get out and ended up helping get this boy out,” Mr. Cruz said.

Authorities said they found Mr. Taylor injured near a busy intersection about eight miles east of the Las Vegas Strip. Once paramedics arrived, they found no heartbeat.

“He was reportedly floating on an inner tube in floodwaters when he was injured and taken to Sunrise Hospital,” county officials reported Monday.

Mr Taylor died from his injuries in hospital the following day.

Medical examiners ruled Taylor's death an accidental drowning. According to his parents, he was trapped under a car when he drowned.

“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to Ryan’s family and friends,” county officials said.

Mathew Taylor, the teen’s father, said in a statement: “Words cannot express the pain of losing your child. We lost our first born, a friend to so many and a big brother to his brother and sisters. So quickly, things can change from fun,” he told KLAS. “Floodwaters are not a joke or a game to play with. Videos on social media may make it seem safe, fun or comical, but [the] the power of water is unimaginable. Thanks to the brave residents who helped lift the car and carry it out with me. And the first responders for all their efforts. I am sorry to everyone who knew my son. Please remember his life and his memories and help him live through our love.”

Irene Reynaga, Mr. Taylor's mother, set up a GoFundMe page in memory of her son to cover memorial costs.

“Ryan was such an amazing kid. He was very helpful to his siblings and had such a big heart,” Ms Reynaga said on the fundraising page.

The teen's death follows another suspected drowning of a man in Las Vegas floodwaters over the weekend, Clack County KTNV reported.

The man's body was found Saturday morning in a holding pond near Rainbow Boulevard and Westcliff Drive.

Two days of torrential rain caused significant flooding in the streets of Las Vegas following a powerful storm that hit Nevada over the Labor Day weekend.

Traffic was backed up, power outages were reported, and cars and homes were completely flooded with muddy water.

About 3.9 inches of rain caused flash flooding throughout the usually arid and dry desert.