On September 7, 2015, around 11:45 AM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers from the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team (YCSRT), Backcountry Unit, were involved in a rescue on Granite Mountain, Prescott, Arizona. The reporting party called 911 and told dispatchers his 25-year-old friend, Lane Pirkel from Prescott, had fallen into an agave plant resulting in multiple puncture wounds.
Lane was able to remove all but one thorn. The remaining thorn was impaled just below his sternum and had broken off below the skin. Lane was unable to move without severe pain and had difficulty breathing. The reporting party kept the subject still and as calm as possible while resources were deployed.
Because of the serious injury and remote location, a DPS Ranger Helicopter responded to facilitate a ‘short-haul,’ or rope rescue airlift. A member of the YCSRT Backcountry team, who is certified in this type of rescue, repelled from the Ranger helicopter to Lane’s location to render first aid and prepare for transport. Lane and the rescue team member were then airlifted near the boat launch area of Granite Basin where a medical helicopter was standing by for a second airlift to Flagstaff Medical Center. Although the rescue had been delayed due to intermittent rain, Lane was on his way to Flagstaff Medical Center within 2 hours of the initial call. As of this writing, his condition is unknown.