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For the seventh time in the last month, rescuers were dispatched to the Fossil Creek area for an injured hiker.
This time, on Tuesday afternoon, a teen girl injured her back after jumping off a waterfall a mile north of the lower trailhead, said Tonto Rim Search and Rescue Commander Bill Pitterle.
The teen managed to miss hitting any rocks on the jump, but landed in such a way that she could not walk out.
This is the second time TRSAR volunteers have had to carry someone from the waterfall. Last week, a teen belly-flopped off the falls, possibly breaking some ribs.
On Tuesday’s mission, TRSAR and the Pine-Strawberry Fire Department worked together to haul the teen to the roadway on a backboard.
The teen complained of severe pain, Pitterle said.
“If we tilted the litter at all, which is very hard not to do since it is a very rocky trail, she said it hurt,” he said.
With its aqua-colored water and swimming holes, the Fossil Creek area is a popular getaway for Valley and Rim Country residents.
On Tuesday, Pitterle estimated there were at least another 15 to 20 people playing and jumping from the falls.
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