Small Town News

Teens survive 100-foot rollover

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At approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to a vehicle that drove over the side of Fossil Creek Road near the intersection with the road to Childs Power Plant.

This area is located outside of Strawberry and borders two counties. The accident, nearly 15 miles from State Route 260, involved a single-vehicle with three girls inside the 4-door sedan. Two of the girls were 16 years old, and one was 17 years old. All were from Flagstaff.

Deputies indicated the girls were on their way home after a day of outdoor activities when they came around a turn too fast and lost control. The vehicle went off the edge and fell more than 100 feet, coming to rest upside down on top of the driver, who was ejected. The girl remained trapped under the vehicle for more than four hours but was removed with what appeared to be minor injuries.

She was conscious and talking during the extraction. A deputy noted that there was a depression in the roof of the vehicle that created a cavity between the roof and the ground. It appeared her body occupied part of this space thus avoiding the full weight of the car. Just after 9 p.m., she was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center by helicopter for treatment of apparent non-life threatening injuries.

The two other girls had been removed from the vehicle earlier. One of them was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center and the other was taken by ground ambulance to the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood.

Two of the girls had been released from the hospital.

As of press time, the driver remained at Flagstaff Medical Center in good condition.

There were no signs of drug or alcohol use during the initial investigation. Seatbelt use or non-use involving the occupants has not been reported yet.

The Gila County Search and Rescue, Gila County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple Fire fighters from Strawberry, worked together with YCSO for the extraction. YCSO would like to commend these assisting agencies. The investigation is ongoing.



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