Dad-of-three, 46, killed in Grand Canyon flash flood is pictured as rescuers search for friends among 15 missing

TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-three who tragically died when a flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon. Dr John Giusti was found dead near Crystal Rapids, Colorado River on Sunday – and two of his friends are still among the missing. Dr John Giusti during his trip to Grand Canyon National Park. Credit: AP Horrifying river of mud surges through the Canyon Credit: David J Gregory/Facebook The body of at least one other person has also been found. John, a 46-year-old chiropractor, was described by his family as a “devoted father of three daughters.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! His wife, Janet Giusti, said: “To the community, he was a gifted healer. To his friends, a powerhouse of life. To his daughters, he was their ultimate hero. To me, he was my whole world.” John was hiking with friends in the popular landmark on August 29 when heavy rain caused disastrous flooding in the area. Brent and Timothy are among the missing Credit: AP Tens of people have been evacuated following the flash floods. Credit: Reuters Two of his friends, 42-year-old Brent Rosenkranz and 53-year-old Timothy Allen Smith, are among the missing. Their families said in a joint statement: “[We] are profoundly grateful to the search-and-rescue personnel working to bring our loved ones home and to everyone who has prayed for us, reached out, offered help and surrounded our families with love, “We ask that you continue praying for Brent and Tim, for everyone searching for them, and for all of the families affected by this tragedy.” The three men hiked up to Bright Angel Campground on August 28 and were exploring the next day when the devastating flash flood hit. Most read in The Sun Aerial videos show the extent of the destruction in Arizona’s site of natural beauty Credit: David J Gregory/Facebook A roiling mass of water and mud rips through footbridges Credit: EricaViola/Facebook Forecasters said that in just two days the Grand Canyon was battered with almost half a year’s worth of rain, warning that more flooding was likely to occur. Erica Viola spoke to CBS News about her terrifying experience escaping the flooding. “[My boyfriend’s] yelling at me, ‘Run, run,’ and I’m going, ‘I can’t run any faster. I’m going to just die.’ I knew if I didn’t run, we weren’t going to make it. “Five minutes later we would have been washed.” The National Park Service said that almost every footbridge in Bright Angel Creek was destroyed, “eliminating pedestrian access across the creek.” Joey Martin told the BBC that the rain came down “so hard and so thick that you couldn’t see the Grand Canyon walls”. He said: “You couldn’t see anything.” Dozens of people were rescued, mostly by helicopter, from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas of Grand Canyon National Park. Remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek after a flash flood destroyed the footbridge Credit: AFP Stone bridge pylons collapsed in the floodwater Credit: AFP Many of the missing are believed to be foreign tourists, with the park receiving 4.4 million visitors every year. As there are no roads inside the park, rescue efforts are significantly harder. The only transportation available is by foot, mule, or helicopter. Flooding has severely damaged the only water pipeline into the canyon. Park officials have banned tourists from staying at lodges and hotels inside Grand Canyon National Park and enforced emergency water restrictions for residents. Comment now