Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Assists with Grand Canyon Flood Rescues

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Aviation Bureau assisted the United States National Park Service with multiple rescue operations at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, helping hikers stranded by severe flash flooding.

“Ranger” is the call sign used for AZDPS Air Rescue helicopters and their crews. Ranger 3, based out of Flagstaff, completed 13 flights to the canyon floor and back to the South Rim Helibase, transporting a total of 61 hikers to safety.

Saturday, Aug. 29:

Flooding washed out bridges near Phantom Ranch, stranding numerous hikers. After briefing at the South Rim Helibase, National Park Service crews rescued three hikers from The Box using a short-haul operation. AZDPS crews extracted 32 hikers from the Phantom Delta helipad and 10 from the Bunkhouse over nine flights. Helibase staff later requested a search for five additional missing hikers in The Box. Using FLIR, AZDPS crews located two hikers at Tom and Jerry, two distinctive rock formations in the canyon, and extracted them by hover, returning them safely to the helibase.

Sunday, Aug. 30:

AZDPS was requested again to help 17 people stranded at Cottonwood Campground due to flooding. Ranger 3 completed four flights into the canyon, extracting all individuals.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety continues to support the United States National Park Service during emergency rescue operations at Grand Canyon National Park, and all media inquiries should be directed to the National Park Service.