DPS Ranger circles Bell Rock in Sedona after hiker calls for help

Sedona AZ (July 31, 2013) – On Sunday, July 28, 2013, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, along with its dedicated volunteer teams and DPS Ranger crews, were involved in several rescues.

At 10:00 in the morning, YCSO was contacted by staff from a retirement home on Jacks Canyon Road in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, Arizona, regarding a missing 80-year-old resident. It was reported the diabetic resident likely walked away and was lost. Deputies, along with members of the Verde Search and Rescue Team, initiated a coordinated search effort in the adjacent neighborhoods with no immediate success.

At approximately 12:30 PM, a hiker located the missing person on a trail well over a mile from the retirement facility. Sedona Fire Department personnel treated her for dehydration and she was transported to a local hospital for follow-up.

Please remember, it is important to call law enforcement immediately after finding someone missing, especially those who might be at greater risk. A prompt call will greatly increase the chances of a successful outcome.

At 11:45 that same Sunday morning, YCSO was contacted by a 17-year-old man from Holland who reported being stuck on a Bell Rock ledge. Members of the Verde Search and Rescue Team made verbal contact with the man but could not see him as he was trapped in a crevasse 60 feet below the top.

A DPS Flagstaff Ranger was requested as well as members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Response Team, Back County Unit (BCU). The DPS helicopter crew located the stranded hiker and lowered three members of the BCU team with rescue gear on top of Bell Rock. The BCU team assisted the stranded man out of the crevasse and back to a safe area. Ranger helicopter transported him off the mountain.

Search and rescue teams successfully rescue hiker trapped in Bell Rock crevasse

The hiker wore only shorts, sandals and a baseball cap on his Bell Rock ascent. He had no food or water, but fortunately possessed a working cell phone. Remember when traversing the Sedona red rocks, carrying water, a fully charged cell phone, and wearing proper hiking garb will increase your chance of a safe and uneventful hike.

Later that same day, around 5:30 PM, two men, 25 and 30 years of age, were dropped off at the Bear Siding camp area off Perkinsville Road, outside of Paulden, Arizona, so they might “tube” down the Verde River. When darkness fell and the men had not arrived at a pre-designated location, a friend called to report both overdue. The call came in around 7:45 PM.

Deputies on scene checked a downstream bridge crossing and located one of the pair, who had been yelling for help, around 10:00 p.m. He was rescued in good condition.

The DPS Ranger helicopter was requested along with members of the BCU team to search for the second man. The Ranger crew eventually found him nearly a mile downstream from the Bear Siding camping area. The DPS crew landed and contacted the man but he refused assistance. Ranger dropped two members of the BCU team nearby and the man was finally convinced to accept aid.

He was escorted to safety and eventually transported in good condition to his Chino Valley home. He had been wearing only swim trunks and had no means of communication.

The Forest Patrol supervisor noted the high probability of flash flooding around the Verde River at this time, very much increasing the danger to both. Remember to check the National Weather Service during our monsoon season as flash flooding and torrential rains are commonplace.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260.

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