Due to the late hour of the day, the impending darkness, and the rugged terrain, a ground response was not commenced. The Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Helicopter based in Flagstaff lifted off at 5:30 p.m. and, at 6:30 p.m., arrived at the distress location and began an air search.

Crew members spotted the hikers approximately one mile downstream from the initiation point. The pilot was able to safely land the helicopter and crew members made contact with the hikers. According to one of the individuals, he was changing the batteries in the spot locator and accidentally activated the Level 2 emergency signal. None of the party members required transport and the DPS helicopter returned to Flagstaff.

The day before, the Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a sick hiker in Paria Canyon, very close to where the prior described response occurred. The DPS helicopter based in Kingman responded, located the ill hiker, and landed. The individual was flown out of the canyon and subsequently refused any medical treatment.

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Arizona Department of Public Safety for the availability of air rescue helicopters and crews. This vital service is extensively utilized by the Sheriff’s Office throughout Coconino County on search and rescue assignments and a wide variety of other law enforcement related missions.