Sedona Police Department and the Sedona Fire District responders continue to investigate what caused a vehicle to drive over the edge of Oak Creek Canyon just south of Midgley Bridge.
The single-vehicle incident occurred Monday, Dec. 19, around 2 p.m. Fifteen SFD firefighters responded to the incident, according to Gary Johnson, SFD public information officer.
According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle traveled southbound on State Route 89A just before it went over the edge.
The vehicle sailed approximately 300 feet after leaving the road, Johnson said. The victims are a man and wife from the Phoenix area.
“It left the roadway approximately where the pull-off is that has the [U.S.] Forest Service fire danger sign,” Johnson said.
The two occupants of the vehicle were classified as Level 1, with possible life-threatening injuries. They were transported by ambulance from the scene.
“Under normal circumstances they would have been flown to Flagstaff Medical Center, but because of weather no aircraft were available,” Johnson said.
SPD Cmdr. Ron Wheeler said the vehicle likely left the roadway while the driver adjusted her safety belt.
“The driver of the vehicle is still in serious condition with severe injuries. The wife was driving and the husband was a passenger. The early investigation revealed the driver was adjusting her safety belt at the time and became distracted and lost control of the vehicle,” Wheeler said.
