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Oracle Fire Chief Larry Southard, far right, presented Hero Awards to hunters Ray Garcia and Robert Flemmings and two Oracle Firefighters Harley Van Collie and Michael Parra for their efforts during a difficult rescue on Mt Lemmon. John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
On Sept. 9, 2015 at the Oracle Fire Governing Board meeting, Fire Chief Larry Southard and Assistant Fire Chief Robert Jennings presented “Hero” certificates to two civilians who helped with a difficult rescue near Peppersauce Canyon. The two men were Ray Garcia from Coolidge, Arizona and Robert Flemmings from Phoenix. Two Oracle firefighters, Harley Van Coillie and Michael Parra were also recognized for their efforts in the rescue.
The rescue operation took place on Aug. 22, 2015 when a “vehicle over a cliff” was reported. A hunter in the area, Robert Flemmings, about a mile above Peppersauce Canyon caught sight of a vehicle driving off the road down a cliff. The vehicle was heavily damaged and laying about 150 feet down a hill in a ravine. He called 911. The group of hunters in the vicinity climbed down the steep embankment to the vehicle and the injured driver, a woman from Oracle. One of the members of the hunting groups, Ray Garcia is a 17 year veteran of the Coolidge Volunteer Fire Department. He helped stabilize the woman until help arrived.
Robert Flemmings and the other hunters in his group stayed with the rescue crew, climbing up and down the steep incline, bringing medical equipment and supplies to the injured woman. The driver had to be lifted out of the canyon by a DPS helicopter. She was transported to a trauma center with serious injuries. The complex rescue operation took about five hours. It was said that if the hunters had not been in the area that the vehicle would have been impossible to see from the road. The driver is said to be in good condition.
Ray Garcia said that the Oracle Fire Department did a great job during the rescue.
In other good news announced at the meeting, Oracle Engine 692 and its four man crew have returned from helping fight the Mad River Fire in Northern California.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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