Ranger 52 Helicopter Crew Located and Rescued Overdue Campers | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • The Colonel
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Services Center
        • Claim Personal Property
        • Concealed Weapons & Permits
        • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
        • File a Commendation
        • Household Goods Enforcement
        • Missing Children Search
        • Sex Offender Compliance
        • Tow Truck Application
      • Public Services Portal
        • Fingerprint Clearance Card
        • Licensing
        • Records Request
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJ
      • Tow Program
      • SWIC
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
      • Budget Request
      • Holiday Enforcement Figures
      • Strategic Plans
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Trooper Trainee
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • News
    • AZDPS News
    • Digest Blog
    • AZDPS Alerts System
      • Amber Alerts
      • Blue Alerts
      • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Public Affairs Unit
  • Safety
    • AZDPS Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Safety Corridors
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Silver Alert
  • Home
  • Ranger 52 Helicopter Crew Located and Rescued Overdue Campers

Public Affairs

 

Subscribe to AZDPS News Releases
Contact the Public Affairs Unit 
Submit a Tip 

Ranger 52 Helicopter Crew Located and Rescued Overdue Campers

Father and son became stranded after pickup slid 50 feet off a steep hill
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
- For Immediate Release -

Gila County — On Monday, November 27, 2016, at about 10:00 a.m., the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Air Rescue Helicopter, Ranger 52, was requested by the Gila County Sheriff's Office to assist with the search and rescue of a father and son who had gone camping and were reported overdue.
 


The father and son were supposed to have met other campers in the area on Friday. After they failed to show up, the other campers contacted the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

 

Ranger 52, which is stationed out of Tucson, responded to assist with the search and rescue. With no precise location of the campers, Ranger began its search in an area along US 60 from Globe. While Ranger was in the air, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office received information from a hunter who reported observing a truck near the Salt River about 20 miles east of Roosevelt Lake.  

 

Ranger responded to that area and located the truck. The crew found the father and son who were outside their tent waving down the helicopter. Ranger made a confined area landing and a trooper paramedic hiked to the subjects, who were found to be in good shape and did not need medical attention. The father said their truck had slid down a steep hill in soft dirt and they were unable to get it back up to the road. They had been stranded since Friday night, living from the camping supplies they brought with them.  

 

11-30-16  11-30-16  11-30-16

The father and son were flown to the Gila County Sheriff's Office command post located on Forest Road 303.


 

Southern Air Rescue Supervisor/Pilot Hunter French said, “These two did everything right and were prepared for the emergency. They had supplies available and they let others know where they were going. They also made themselves visible when they became stranded.”

 

AZDPS reminds everyone to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Never hike alone, have a friend with you, expect drastic changes in weather, expect and plan for problems that will arise. Have the proper equipment available and carry plenty of food and water. 

To learn more about DPS Aviation click here: http://www.azdps.gov/about/Organization/Highway_Patrol/Aviation/

 

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is a state-level law enforcement agency whose mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity and providing vital support to the State of Arizona and its citizens.
###
Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Notice of Title VI Program Rights
  • Social Media User Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU