88-Year-Old Driver and Dog Rescued After Being Stranded Overnight in Muddy Storm Conditions – YCSO

On August 14th, just after 6:00 a.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Forest Patrol deputies responded to an urgent report of an 88-year-old man who had become stranded in his vehicle the previous day.

After attempting to take a remote back route from Carefree to Bloody Basin, the driver and his dog became trapped miles off a dirt road, surrounded by thick mud and water from recent severe storms.

Although the driver had no cell service in the remote area, he successfully utilized an SOS text feature on his device. This critical action transmitted his exact coordinates directly to dispatchers. YCSO Forest Patrol, alongside Jeep Posse and 4×4 Units from the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team (YCSRT), were immediately called out to navigate the difficult terrain. Using the SOS location data, rescue teams were led right to the stranded vehicle, where they successfully helped the man and his dog and transported them to safety.

The driver declined medical services upon rescue. Both he and his dog were healthy, unharmed, and incredibly relieved to be rescued.

While the driver’s decision to travel on remote, unpaved backcountry roads was ill-advised given the recent monsoon storms, YCSO commends him for doing two crucial things right once the emergency occurred: he stayed put with his vehicle, and he knew how to use his emergency SOS text feature. He was also prepared with his necessary medications, food, and water to survive the overnight stay without further compounding the emergency.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office extends a massive thank you to our incredible YCSRT volunteers and the YCSO Forest Patrol for their exceptional work in bringing this man and his dog home safely!