Yesterday afternoon, the Cottonwood Police Department and the Verde Valley Fire Department joined forces for a successful rescue mission on the Verde River near the Bignotti river access, located within the Prescott National Forest and the Cottonwood City limits.
The incident began when YCSO requested assistance in locating a mother and her 8-yearold daughter who had become separated from their family while floating the river. The distressed mother had called 911 from her cell phone, reporting that they were stranded on a large rock and her phone battery was critically low.
Dispatchers at Cottonwood Police Department promptly gathered crucial location details and relayed them to responding officers, including Officer Schoemaker. Fortunately, Verde Valley Fire Department personnel, engaged in a training exercise nearby, were able to swiftly respond to the Bignotti area.
Sergeant Huibregtse and Officer Schoemaker coordinated efforts with the family and utilized information that the family had launched their excursion from Black Canyon Bignotti river access, becoming separated en route to Thousand Trails Bignotti river access. Officer Rafferty was directed to initiate search efforts from the Black Canyon Wash area, enhancing collaboration with fire department teams.
Approximately three-quarters of a mile upstream from the point of separation, Officer Schoemaker made contact with the fire department, who had successfully located the mother and daughter. In a commendable display of selflessness, Officer Schoemaker carried the young girl on his back in sweltering heat to a designated rally point, while a fireman and Sergeant Huibregtse assisted in escorting the mother safely back to reunite with her family along with their boat.
Despite experiencing minor injuries and dehydration, both the mother and daughter were in stable condition. The incident underscored the importance of seamless interagency cooperation and effective communication among emergency responders, including dispatchers, law enforcement, and fire personnel.
