Pilot of dangerous Superstition Mountain rescue last week involved in three previous rescues

DPS Air Rescue Crew assists in Superstition Mountains

Friday, March 09, 2012 -

On Friday, March 2, at 4:06 p.m, DPS Phoenix Ranger was requested by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the search and rescue and technical rescue of an injured person 3.5 miles north of the First Water Trailhead in the Superstition Mountains. The injured hiker was trapped 100 feet from the top of the canyon wedged into a tight slot. The Ranger crew flew to the trailhead and started inserting 14 technical rescue crew members from the Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association (MCSO-CAMRA). The 14 rescuers were dropped east of the rescue scene using a skid. This operation took place at night requiring the air crew to use vision goggles. Ranger remained on standby at the trailhead while CAMRA affected a ground rescue of the patient. When ready, Ranger flew back to the scene and extricated the patient using a litter. The injured hiker was flown to the trailhead and turned over to MCSO and Southwest Ambulance. He was admitted to Scottsdale Osborn Trauma Center.

This mission began shortly after 4 p.m. and ended at about 1:40 a.m.

The hiker identified as Edward Weston, 47, from Washington remains in Scottsdale Osborn hospital in serious but stable condition.

The pilot, Hunter French, was also involved in the rescue of several teens hiking in the White Tank Mountains last week.