SFD UTV crashes on Broken Arrow Trail during heat-related rescue operation3 min read

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Staff Writer
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While responding to a heat-related rescue operation near Chicken Point along the Broken Arrow Trail on the morning of Sunday, June 30, the Sedona Fire District’s utility task vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, struck a boulder, rolled onto the driver’s side and slid 50 feet down a slope. Photo courtesy of the Sedona Fire District

The Sedona Fire District was dispatched on Sunday, June 30, at approximately 9:45 a.m., to a rescue call transferred from Coconino County Sheriff’s Office dispatch for a patient experiencing a life-threatening heat-related illness near Chicken Point along the Broken Arrow Trail.

An engine and ambulance from SFD’s Station 6, along with an SFD utility task vehicle, responded to the incident. Fire personnel utilized the UTV to reach the patient near the Devil’s Staircase section of the Broken Arrow Trail.

During the extraction process, involving the patient and a family member, the UTV unexpectedly accelerated, causing the driver to lose control and crash. The driver was able to keep the UTV straight on the Devil’s Staircase until it struck a boulder, causing it to roll onto the driver’s side and slide approximately 50 feet.

While responding to a heat-related rescue operation near Chicken Point along the Broken Arrow Trail on the morning of Sunday, June 30, the Sedona Fire District’s utility task vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, struck a boulder, rolled onto the driver’s side and slid 50 feet down a slope. Photo courtesy of the Sedona Fire District

Additional SFD units were requested and responded to the crash site, and personnel continued to care for the patient and passenger.

The patient and family member were safely transported back to the trailhead in a second UTV. All passengers and crew members were properly restrained in their seatbelts and the doors were secured in the closed position.

SFD has certified Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association instructors and all SFD operational personnel are mandated to complete the training prior to operating SFD UTVs. SFD adds rollover protection to protect patients during transport prior to putting UTVs into rescue service, and there were no injuries to the passengers and only minor injuries to fire personnel as a result of the crash.

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SFD notified the CCSO and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and filed an incident report. An off-road recovery team was dispatched to assist in removing the damaged UTV from the trail.

The cause of the UTV acceleration and crash is currently under investigation.

While responding to a heat-related rescue operation near Chicken Point along the Broken Arrow Trail on the morning of Sunday, June 30, the Sedona Fire District’s utility task vehicle unexpectedly accelerated, struck a boulder, rolled onto the driver’s side and slid 50 feet down a slope. Photo courtesy of the Sedona Fire District

SFD stated in a press release that it wants to remind everyone that rescues on trails do not come without risks to responders and the people crews are responding to assist.

“Our members train rigorously to ensure technical proficiency and safety in all aspects of their jobs,” SFD stated. “However, in spite of our best efforts, incidents like this can occur. As our service demands increase in complexity, so does the potential for unexpected challenges. Our priority remains the safety of both our personnel and the public we serve.”

For further information, contact SFD Assistant Fire Chief Jayson Coil at (928) 607-1419 or jcoil@sedonafire.org.

Staff Writer

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