On the morning of September 2, Pima County deputies responded to a report of a 19-year-old female who slipped and fell off a trail while hiking in Sabino Canyon in the Seven Falls area. The female hit her head during a 20-foot fall and could not move.
The Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit and the Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit lowered rescue personnel, equipped with a stretcher, to check the female for injuries. The female was secured on the stretcher and put in a Baumann Bag. Both the female and a rescue deputy were then short hauled, hanging 100 feet below the helicopter, to the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA) House. When they arrived at the SARA House, located north of the Sabino Canyon entrance, the female was transferred to a Life Line helicopter and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Later in the day, at approximately 1:50 p.m., Pima County deputies responded to same area when it was reported that another 19-year-old female hit her head during a 20-foot fall and was unable to get up.
The Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit, the Southern Arizona Rescue Association, and the Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Unit responded to assist.
The injured hiker was located wedged between the canyon wall and a boulder. In order to reach her, an 8-man ground team hiked down to her location. A second 5-man team was inserted via helicopter to hike up to her location. When the rescue teams reached the injured hiker, she was stabilized, secured on a stretcher, and placed in a Baumann Bag. She was then moved to a location where she could be flown by the DPS helicopter to the SARA House, located north of the Sabino Canyon entrance.
The female, who had a head laceration, was transferred to a Life Line helicopter and transported to a local hospital for treatment.