[Dschur]

Hiker with broken leg rescued off Humphreys



Wednesday, June 04, 2008


Rescuers worked for more than nine hours to carry a hiker with a broken leg from a Peaks trail to safety Monday.

According to a press release from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the 46-year-old hiker, a visitor from Mississippi, had started up the Humphreys Trail with two companions with the intent of reaching the summit. The hiker decided to turn back because of the difficult nature of the trail while his companions continued onward. While he was retreating, the hiker attempted to step over a log, lost his footing and fell, breaking his right leg in two locations. He used his cell phone to notify his companions and to call 911.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter was deployed to the area, but could not be used because of high winds. Instead, responders from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team hiked to the man's location and carried him down the rugged, steep terrain to waiting medics.

The rescue mission lasted from about 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. and involved 12 members of the search and rescue team, in addition to the Guardian personnel. According to the press release, the rescue was one of the most difficult volunteers have responded to.

The man was treated at Flagstaff Medical Center.

[big_load]

I'm glad he's OK. It sounds like the kind fall I worry about most.

[azdesertfather]

wow, that took a lot of rescue team members!

[azbackpackr]

Well, heck yeah, if you gotta carry a guy out you want a lot of people so you can take turns! It gets old, real quick.

[Jim_H]

Plus, the trail has a lot of snow and downed material on it, so its got to be really hard carrying someone who weighs at least 150 pounds down that thing.

[wallyfrack]

Plus, the trail has a lot of snow and downed material on it.

I'll second that. The Forest service was cutting downed trees today on the trail but they have a ways to go.