Jerome AZ (August 16, 2016) – On August 11, 2016, just after 2 AM, YCSO deputies were dispatched to Mingus Mountain regarding a 60-year-old woman who was lost. She had been camping in the area with her boyfriend and wandered away after a verbal argument with him the prior afternoon. She contacted the dispatch center by cell phone and was frantic because her phone battery was fading and she was dealing with exposure from a monsoon storm that had just hit the area. She was wet, cold and also caring for 2 small dogs.
Using GPS coordinates obtained via cell phone and her description of nearby landmarks, deputies were able to utilize a 4wheel drive patrol vehicle to access the area. Due to the rugged terrain, deputies began hiking towards the lost party by following the sound of her 2 dogs as they barked throughout the search effort. Just after 4 AM, deputies located the woman and her dogs. Because it was unsafe for her to walk out, deputies cleared a path to allow access by the 4-wheel drive patrol vehicle. This included removal of a large tree in the pathway and extremely cautious driving to reach her safely. She was driven back to base camp for treatment by EMS personnel and then transported to Yavapai Regional Medical Center, east campus, for treatment. It appeared she was suffering from hypothermia, but grateful for the tremendous work of deputies who brought her out of the dark wilderness safely.
Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov