Scout Troop Stranded Overnight Rescued Sunday Morning

Camp Verde AZ (June 15, 2014) – Saturday June 14, just before 3 pm, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a Boy Scout Troop consisting of 4 adults and 8 teens had not returned to a previously scheduled and designated location as agreed. Attempts to reach the group by cell phone were unsuccessful. A search effort began including air support from DPS Ranger. Just after 6 PM, DPS Ranger located the group. All but 5 were able to walk out to safety and meet with a ground team from the Yavapai County Sheriff Response Team’s Back Country Unit. Two from the troop, a father and son, elected to remain overnight and were escorted out Sunday morning. 

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, along with Ranger helicopter crews from the Department of Public Safety, worked Sunday morning to rescue the remaining 3 stranded men from the West Clear Creek area several miles off Bull Pen Road, Camp Verde. One of the men is 70-years-old and due to a prior medical condition, was unable to hike out from the rugged terrain. He was in the company of his son and grandson who remained with him overnight. The trio was located at the base of a steep canyon.

As of Sunday afternoon all parties have returned safely. The coordination between YCSO, the YCSRT Back Country Unit, and DPS Ranger Crews, were pivotal to a successful resolution in this rescue operation.

The man who was transported to Verde Valley Medical Center has been identified as Ken Barnum, 70, from Casa Grande. His son, and another teen not part of the family, were airlifted to safety – see photo. The Boy Scout Troop is based out of the town of Maricopa.