Injured, stranded man rescued

10-hour effort involves multiple agencies

A 49-year-old Chino Valley man was rescued March 3 following a 10-hour rescue mission. Authorities located the injured and stranded man on a steep canyon wall in Bear Canyon, which is located approximately 14 miles south of Williams.

Authorities believe the man left his vehicle to go hiking and fell down an extremely steep slope of Bear Canyon. Due to his injuries and the hazardous nature of the terrain where he landed the man was unable to self extricate. The man called family members and advised them of his predicament. The family members then called the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety air rescue helicopter spotted the man's vehicle at the intersection of Forest Service Roads 73 and 44. Authorities believe the man saw the helicopter and started a small campfire to signal the rescue crew. The helicopter landed safely and off loaded two paramedics who hiked to the victim's location. Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteers were flown into the area and hiked to the man's location. Rescuers removed the man to a safe landing zone located at the top of the canyon and he was flown to the Flagstaff Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

Agencies that assisted with this 10-hour rescue effort included the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, the Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Division.