Squad members involved in the search were
Commander Bill Pitterle, Don Mahr, Ken Messinger, Jim Dever and
Kyle Man.
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Photos By Ken Messinger
Sept. 12, 2009 01:21 PM
APACHE JUNCTION - Crews on horseback and rescue dogs
have joined the search for a hiker who went missing at
Lost Dutchman State Park on Thursday.
Pinal County Sheriff's Office officials say they are
looking for 53-year-old Kelley Tate, who went hiking in
the park near Apache Junction on Thursday morning.
He was due back in the afternoon, but the experienced
hiker failed to return.
His motorcycle was found in the parking lot.
Kelley Tate's Body Found
Tuesday, 15 Sep 2009, 9:08 PM
CASA GRANDE - The Pinal County Sheriff's Office has
confirmed that a body was found in the Superstition
Mountains Tuesday night, and they believe it is missing
hiker Kelley Tate. PCSO says the body was found about 6
p.m. Tuesday. Homicide detectives are gathering evidence
and the body is being sent to the medical examiner's
office for identification. A source close to the
investigation is saying the body was found close to where
Tate first entered the park. So far, it doesn't look like
foul play was a factor.
The 53-year-old left Thursday morning to go hiking in the
Superstition Mountains. Volunteers and rescue crews had
been working around the clock since Thursday night totry
to find the missing man. Tate was hiking rugged terrain.
Some of the crevasses on the mountain are up to 2,000 feet
deep.
Lifting
off from the Command Post Landing zone was Ken Messinger and
Bill Pitterle with Sgt Hudgens and two other squad members
in the back ground.
This
is a picture of the on board computer that lets us see our
position as we are flying and you can see Fox 1 up above the
screen. It's pretty nice having a helo dedicated to SAR like
Maricopa county has.
Looking towards the Southeast and the
frontside of the SUPERSTITIONS as we leave the command post
LZ
From
behind the helo tech, who had briefed us on helo procedures
before we left.
Looking past Bill out towards the foot of
the Superstitions, a very spectacular ride.
The
pilot flew us in over the trail we would be walking out.
Weavers
needle from the Wilderness Landing zone.
Seeing
your ride leave. You just didn't want that ride to end. But
we were there for a search so it begins.
Second
load into the wilderness landing zone with Don Mahr in the
door of the helo
After
landing Don Mahr and Jim Dever the helo had to return to
Falcon Field for fuel so we were stuck for about a hour
waiting on our last squad member. The only shade we had in
100 degree plus temps.
Picture
of the last drop off with Kyle Mann in the door of the helo.
BTW this was Kyles first mission with us. Hope he doesn't
think this is how we get to search areas.
The
search begins
This
picture is real close to the trailhead. A CAP relay was set
up at the trailhead and he had cold water and a ride back to
the command post.
