GPS leads authorities to missing father, son

Rescue team finds pair off trail in rugged terrain

A father and son stranded with their dog in the Coconino National Forest overnight were rescued after authorities traced their location from a GPS tracking device, officials said.

The pair set off to hike near Beaver Creek last Sunday and were expected to return Monday, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff ’s Office.

The man’s wife contacted the Sheriff ’s Office late Monday night reporting her 44-year-old husband and 8-year-old son missing when they did not return during the expected time, officials said.

The woman said she received messages from her husband’s GPS device last Sunday, indicating they arrived at their designated hike location and a second message Monday saying they had returned to their vehicle, according to the Sheriff ’s Office statement.

However, they did not return later Monday as expected.

Deputies used the GPS device to trace the coordinates, which suggested they were near the Bell Trail in the Wet Beaver Wilderness area, where they located the man’s unoccupied vehicle.

A Yavapai County rescue team, along with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Copper Canyon Fire Department, found the pair about 5 a.m. Tuesday in rugged terrain occupied by thick brush and no trails.

The father and son were flown to safety and were not injured.

The man told deputies he misjudged the difficult terrain and used creek water to stay hydrated after their resources were depleted.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends hikers use satellite technology, which can deliver signals in areas where cellphone service is not available.