TORTILLA FLAT, AZ — Three people were rescued late Wednesday night after their vehicle went off a cliff near Apache Trail and milepost 219, according to the Superstition Fire & Medical District.
When first responders arrived around 11 p.m., they found one person about 40 feet down a steep slope and two more trapped in a vehicle nearly 350 feet down a canyon.
A Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter, Ranger One, was brought in to help with the rescue. With the help of Mesa Fire TRT, Central Arizona Search & Rescue, and Superstition Fire’s rescue team, they were able to help the two more seriously injured patients to safety.
Both were flown to a nearby trauma center in critical condition.
Officials say all three patients were successfully rescued after 3 hours and 42 minutes, and no firefighters were injured.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) provided the following statement on why there aren't any guardrails on this stretch of road:
"SR 88's designation as an historic roadway limits changes allowed along the highway. It travels through the Tonto National Forest, which also means there are federal environmental limitations. Low speed limits and signs related to curves, hills and other features are in place, and drivers should adhere to those safety measures."
