Three different agencies sent helicopters to help a Boy Scout troop on a hike in Cochise County on Saturday after the group’s leader suffered a heart attack.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety sent the first helicopter, which failed to reach the group near the Montezuma Pass Crest trail because of strong winds. A second attempt made by a U.S. Air Force chopper also failed. Customs and Border Protection sent a third unit that was again held back by the winds.
DPS spokesman Raul Garcia said this sort of collaboration between agencies is common and ongoing.
"We work very well in Arizona with all of our law enforcement and governmental partners," Garcia said. "Every agency has its resources and when you combine those, the citizens of Arizona win."
DPS managed to get a ground team to the troop and the scout leader was airlifted to a local hospital.