A 1-year-old girl in Arizona was found submerged in a bucket of water Tuesday, in what authorities are calling a freak accident.

Phoenix fire officials told KPNX that the girl was found submerged in a five-gallon bucket of water that had been left out after gardening. The bucket contained approximately 6 inches of water.

It is unclear how long the girl was submerged. While first responders told KPNX that the child had a pulse, she was listed in extremely critical condition as of Wednesday.

Authorities said the case is a sobering reminder that children can drown in other areas besides a pool. In this case, the family had a secure fence around their pool.

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Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC