Emergency text feature saves 88-year-old driver, his dog stranded on muddy back road

YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. (AZFamily/Gray News) - Thanks to his phone’s emergency text feature, an 88-year-old driver and his dog were rescued after they got stuck in muddy conditions in a remote area of Arizona.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Forest Patrol deputies got an urgent report Friday about an 88-year-old driver who had become stranded in his car.

While the man was trying to take back roads from Carefree to Bloody Basin, his car got stuck in the mud Thursday miles off a dirt road, officials said. Recent storms had left the remote area nearly impassable.

There was no cell service in the area, but the driver used an SOS text feature on his phone, allowing officials to pinpoint his exact location.

Rescuers, including the forest patrol, a search-and-rescue team, 4X4 units and the Jeep Posse, navigated the “difficult terrain” to reach the man and his dog.

“Both he and his dog were healthy, unharmed, and incredibly relieved to be rescued,” Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

Officials said the man was prepared with medications, food and water, which helped him survive the night. He declined medical attention.

“While the driver’s decision to travel on remote, unpaved backcountry roads was ill-advised given the recent monsoon storms, YCSO commends him for doing two crucial things right once the emergency occurred: he stayed put with his vehicle, and he knew how to use his emergency SOS text feature,” sheriff’s officials said.

To learn how Emergency SOS works with satellite connection on iPhone, click here. For Emergency SOS information for Android devices, click here.