A helicopter may be called in to rescue a horse stranded on a sand bar in an Arizona river.
The horse named Colorado has been confined to the island in the Gila River since Friday following a riding mishap.
Four people thought the river was low enough to ride across, but got into trouble in the swifter-than-expected current.
One rider and horse made it out under their own power, but the three other riders ended up clutching to vegetation in the swift current for several hours awaiting rescue.
Two of the horses were also helped out in the rescue but one was euthanized after it was found to have a broken leg.
The fourth, Colorado, an eight-year-old quarter horse, was separated from his rider in the ordeal and fought his way to the sand bar.
Efforts to reach Colorado by boat across the swollen river have so far been unsuccessful.
Unless the river drops enough to allow him to be walked to safety, a helicopter with strops may be used to airlift him to dry land.
The sand bar is reported to be stable and is under no risk of being washed away.