5 days ago
Jeep driver gets stranded in narrow Arizona canyons — four times, officials say
A Jeep driver became stranded in narrow canyons in Arizona — for a fourth time, officials said.
The occupants called for help at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue said in a June 2 post on Facebook.
The 47-year-old driver had driven out to the rugged location east of Bullhead City and west of the Black Mountains with a passenger but no other drivers, which goes against safe Jeeping practices, rescuers said.
'The Narrows are very rugged and known to have a difficult trail rating and should never be explored in a single vehicle,' rescuers said. 'As groups of vehicles make their way through the difficult high-walled washes of the Narrows, they often guide each other to articulate their vehicles through the terrain in certain positions to clear the obstacles.'
'This is oftentimes attempted by those who are experienced with four-wheeling for the pure challenge of passing obstacles with their equipment of choice and not become stuck,' rescuers said. 'However, for the fourth time now — we have a 47-year-old male who has clearly demonstrated his lack of planning ability and became stranded in his Jeep without supplies (such as water, food and necessary supplies to clear these obstacles).'
Rescuers searched the canyon for the Jeep occupants and discovered that not only had they left the Jeep, but they had gone off in separate directions.
A photo shows the rocky conditions in the canyon.
A rescue helicopter found the 41-year-old passenger and took her to a command post, then search and rescue found the driver and brought him there as well.
'Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never travel into the rugged wilderness areas alone (single vehicles) and to make sure to bring plenty of supplies — in the event the unexpected or unplanned happens,' rescuers said. 'Once a call for help has been made, be sure to stay put — and stay with the vehicle, if traveling with one — as vehicles are much easier to locate.'
Bullhead City is about a 230-mile drive northwest from Phoenix.
