FD: 'Experienced' canyoneer rescued after big fall
The canyoneer was brought out by 'longline' during Thursday's rescue.
Photographer: Gila County Sheriff's Office
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 03/13/2013
GLOBE, AZ - Rescue crews airlifted an injured canyoneer out of Parker Creek east of the Valley Thursday morning.
Authorities estimate James Burmood, 34, fell 60-70 feet off a cliff Wednesday night.
Gila County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Commander Johnny Holmes said Burmood was stable and responsive and was flown by helicopter to a Valley hospital.
He broke several bones in the fall.
Globe fire officials said the Burmwood fell around 5 p.m. at Parker's Creek, which is just off Highway 288 near Young, Arizona.
Holmes said he was rappeling with another man, Jack Hasselbusch, who hiked out, got help and led rescue crews to the area where he fell.
Fire crews said it took more than two-and-a-half hours before search and rescue teams were able to reach the Burmwood.
Holmes said a medical crew stayed with the Burmwood overnight, but it was too risky to attempt the rescue in the dark.
A friend of the man's said he is an experienced outdoorsman and knows the area well.
He thinks the man's anchor failed in a "freak accident."
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
PRINT- Your Region News
Click on the region names in the map below to see news from that region.
RIGHT NOW: Top Stories
-
Gun threat evacuates Tempe mall
The movie theatre at Arizona Mills Mall had to be evacuated Tuesday night after there were reports of a man with a gun inside.
-
Heat stave off elimination in Game 6
LeBron James helped the Miami Heat stave off elimination in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
-
FACTS: Doce Fire threat updates
This is the latest information about the Doce Fire from the Prescott National and U.S. Forest Service.
-
MAP: Track the Doce Fire path in N. AZ
Track the source of the fire burning north of the Valley.
-
PHOTOS: Doce Fire near Prescott
The massive fire has sent thick plumes of smoke across northern Arizona.
-
VIDEO: Air15 over flames in Prescott
Several hundred homes are under a mandatory evacuation order as crews continue to battle the Doce Fire.
