Beaver Creek Community Calendar

December 22, 2016

 

Chief Keller, Copper Canyon Fire & Medical
Reports Stranded Motorist Rescue from Roaring Creek
On December 22nd, at approximately 2:15 PM, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority was dispatched to a report of a pick-up truck that had been pushed down stream in Dry Beaver Creek at Kimberly's Way in McGuireville due to significant runoff from recent rain.  Upon arrival, crews made voice contact with the single occupant in the vehicle about 100 yards downstream from the crossing, where it had lodged on some terrain adjacent to some small trees- firmly in the middle of the very swollen creek.  With limited technical rescue/swiftwater resources on scene, additional requests were made to Sedona Fire District to respond with technicians, as well as an ambulance from Verde Valley Fire District.  Copper Canyon Fire and Medical also recalled
Photo courtesy of Alexa Schuettenberg
technicians from their roster to support the incident.  Yavapai County Sherriff was also on scene and requested a response from their rescue team out of Prescott as well.  A request for a Department of Public Safety Helicopter was also made, as a back-up resource, but the aircraft were all grounded due to the weather.

After setting up an upstream spotter to watch for floating hazards and monitoring the rising water level, resources were divided to both sides of the swollen creek.  Crews then created several strategies to attempt to assist the uninjured occupant of the vehicle to the shoreline.  An initial effort to float an inflatable raft with paddlers came close to succeeding, but unfortunately the current was too strong for the crew on the raft to "make the eddy" by pulling the raft into the current behind the truck.  This crew was able to safely float downstream and after exiting the water safely, assisted with the next attempt.  The second attempt proved to be successful when crews delivered a rope to the vehicle by using the stream's current, and the victim then tied this rope off to his truck bed.  This enabled a "swimmer" to use this angled line to safely approach the vehicle from upstream and deliver a life vest and helmet to the victim.  This same line was then relocated downstream on the shore, and this time the victim and the rescuer took advantage of the current to "ferry" along the angled rope safely to the shore.

Copper Canyon Fire and Medical greatly appreciated the support of the Yavapai County Sherriff's Office, Department of Public Safety, Verde Valley Fire District, and Sedona Fire District in helping to mitigate this incident safely.  There were no reported injuries to any of the responders, and the victim refused further treatment after medical evaluation from Verde Valley Fire ambulance personnel.

CCFMA wants to remind everyone that attempting to drive across flooding stream beds is simply not worth the risk.  Floodwaters move and change the road surface, and it may no longer be where it typically is.  While this incident fortunately did not result in injuries, it easily could have turned out much worse.  At a minimum, the truck involved in this incident will need costly repairs, or to be replaced. 

Have a Merry Christmas and stay safe this winter!
 Chief Terry Keller
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