On Saturday morning, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) received a distress call reporting an accident approximately 10 miles north of Lake Pleasant on the rugged Castle Hot Springs Road. Responders arrived to find a vehicle that had plunged roughly 200 feet down a steep embankment. Inside, the female driver was still trapped, unable to free herself from the wreckage.
The Rescue Operation
The rescue effort was a coordinated endeavor involving a YCSO Deputy, the Morristown Fire Department, and additional emergency responders. These teams worked meticulously to extricate the woman from her precarious situation. The challenging terrain and the depth of the embankment added complexity to the rescue operation, requiring careful planning and execution. After being safely removed from the vehicle, the woman was carried up the embankment to the waiting DPS Ranger helicopter on the road above. The helicopter then transported her swiftly to safety.
Survival Against the Odds
Remarkably, the investigation revealed that the woman had been trapped in her vehicle for an astonishing 36 hours before rescuers arrived. Throughout this period, she survived on a limited supply of snacks and water she had in her vehicle, which likely sustained her until help arrived. Despite enduring severe dehydration, she managed to avoid any life-threatening injuries. Following her harrowing ordeal, she was flown to a Phoenix hospital where she is currently recovering.
This incident highlights the woman’s extraordinary resilience and underscores the critical role of prompt and effective emergency response in such remote areas. The successful rescue is a testament to the skill and dedication of the YCSO, the Morristown Fire Department, and all those involved in the operation.
