Lost, injured man found twice, with help from technologyStory by Scott Orr, Prescott Daily Courier
YAVAPAI COUNTY – A man who became lost and injured while on a horse packing trip was found – twice – thanks to a satellite-messaging device that sent a distress signal when his cellphone did not work, alerting authorities to his location.
The man, a 47-year-old Glendale resident, was headed from the Table Mesa area north of LakePleasant to HorsethiefBasin Nov. 20 when one of his two horses was injured, said Yavapai County Sheriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn. Because cell service was not good in the remote area, he activated his “Spot” emergency device, which sends GPS coordinates with a request for help by satellite.
Dispatchers contacted his wife and got some details about the man and his trip. The Spot continued to send GPS coordinates, and a search was set up. Deputies managed to get hold of him briefly by cellphone about 9:30 a.m., but the signal was lost, said D’Evelyn, noting that the satellite-transmission technology works when cell signals do not.
A crew from Prescott‘s Guidance Helicopters volunteered to look for him, and using the GPS coordinates, found him at 11:45 a.m. The helicopter crew was able to direct ground search teams to the man. They found him in good condition, gave him water and food, and he told them he was prepared to walk out the next day.
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Guidance Aviation provides high altitude helicopter and fixed wing flight training utilizing the newest aircraft and best equipment available. For more information, go to http://www.guidance.aero or http://www.guidancehelicopters.com
