Rescue helicopters vital during search for two men who sent SOS signal in Verde canyon wilderness
Sedona AZ (April 3, 2013) – On April 1, 2013, at approximately two o’clock in the afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a man reporting that his father, 55-year-old Thomas Bennett from Phoenix, was in some unknown distress in the Verde wilderness. The son explained that Bennett was with a friend, a man aged 56, canoeing along the Verde River. Bennett had been checking in using a personal locater device that allowed his son to track the canoeists progress via GPS.
Just before 2:00 p.m. on April 1, Bennett activated the “SOS” button twice on the personal locator. Earlier, Bennett’s son had received a message from his father that the canoe had been damaged and the pair were intending to reach the Child’s Campground by land. His son provided “SOS” GPS coordinates to the YCSO Forest Patrol deputy who determined the pair were now hiking up Fossil Creek Canyon where Fossil Creek and the Verde River converge.
The Forest Patrol deputy started towards the men’s last known location and, aware that this area was very remote and inaccessible by vehicle, requested assistance from YCSO’s helicopter crew flying “Rescue 1.”
The Forest Patrol deputy arrived in the search target area around 4:30 p.m. and observed Rescue 1 already overhead. After receiving updated GPS coordinates, Rescue 1 located the stranded victims in a canyon near Fossil Creek. A crewmember from Rescue 1 was able to lower a walkie-talkie and emergency supplies to the men, who indicated they were in good condition but unable to hike any further.
To expedite the rescue, deputies requested a DPS Ranger Helicopter with the intent of airlifting both men to safety. In the meantime, Rescue 1 was directed to fly back to Prescott Airport and pick-up a member of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Response Team (YCSRT), Backcountry Unit, to assist with a technical rope rescue, if necessary.
An example of a personal satellite based location device
The DPS Ranger helicopter arrived on-scene and its pilot found a safe place to land in an area nearby. One of the helicopter medics was able to eventually hike to the men just after 8:00 p.m. The medic escorted both men back to the helicopter, and they were flown to meet YCSO deputies and very worried family members.
The men explained to deputies their canoe became disabled and they were attempting a hike to the Child’s Campground to rest and seek assistance. They mistook the Verde River for Fossil Creek and became lost. At one point, Thomas Bennett was unable to hike further due to chest pains and pressed the “SOS” button on the personal locater.
DPS medics treated and released Bennett from the scene. As evidenced by this story, the personal locator device was a key factor in the successful rescue.
Remember, most of these devices communicate by satellite and have the ability to maintain a signal in areas where cell phones cannot. The planning and use of this GPS device can and do save lives.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260.
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On March 10, 2013, the DPS Air Rescue Helicopter in Tucson responded to the Tonto Creek area near Punkin Center at the request of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.
A full sized Ford F150 quad cab had been driven into the swollen creek and was reportedly floating down stream with two elderly occupants. The crew arrived on the scene to find the truck and male victim sitting in the driver’s side window. The elderly male’s condition was worsening as he was getting colder in the snow melt runoff.
The helicopter was positioned over the bed of the truck and a DPS Paramedic was inserted into the cargo bed. The female victim was assisted into the helicopter as it hovered over the fast flowing water, next to the truck. The Paramedic then accessed the male victim after breaking the rear window of the truck.
A rescue ring was placed around the victim and a rope lowered. The male victim was short hauled from the window opening some 50 yards to the shore. Both victims were turned over to the care of the Tonto Basin Fire Department. Agencies involved in assisting in the rescue included the Gila County Sheriff’s Office, the Tonto Basin Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service.
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