Bulletin Details
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Press Release
70 Year Old Hiker Missing
Entered On: August 2, 2012, 10:10 am
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On August 1, 2012, at approximately 4:10 p.m., the Pima County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call reference a hiker who had failed to return on time to the Sabino Canyon Recreation area. The missing man is identified as Florencio Gallego (12/2/41). Mr. Gallego started hiking from the Sabino Canyon Recreational area at around 3:30 a.m. His plan was to hike to Seven Falls and then return to his vehicle and meet his wife at approximately 2 p.m. The last known contact with him was via telephone at approximately 11:30 a.m., when he called his wife and said he should be back to his vehicle at 2 p.m. It is unknown where he was when he made the phone call. When he failed to show up within a reasonable amount of time, she called the Sheriff’s Department.
Mr. Gallego is described as a 70 year old Hispanic male with salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5’ 10” in height and weighs 220 pounds. He was last seen wearing a tan Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol long sleeved shirt with patches and a badge, green cargo shorts, a black fanny pack, and brown hiking shoes. He is an experienced hiker and is familiar with this area. There is concern about Mr. Gallegos condition due to prevalent mountain lion activity in the area and him only taking two pints of water with him when he started his hike.
The Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit began a search immediately in the area he was last known to be in. Search efforts continued until 2 a.m. and then resumed at day break this morning. There are extensive ground and air searches being conducted utilizing a variety of tools including rescue canines, horses, and a mule team. There are search volunteers from multiple agencies in addition to the Sheriff’s Department including: DPS Ranger Air Support, Customs Air Support, Southern Arizona Rescue Association, Southern Arizona Mounted Search and Rescue, Southern Arizona Rescue Dogs, Northwest Fire Tactical Rescue Team, BORSTAR, Search and Rescue personnel from Maricopa, Pinal and Cochise Counties, Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers, US Forest Service Fire and the National Parks Service. All together there are approximately 60 people involved in this search effort.
Flyers showing a photograph and description have been made and are being distributed at the Bear Canyon Trail Head and Sabino Canyon Recreation area. If anyone has contact with Mr. Gallego or knows of his whereabouts, please contact the Sheriff’s Department at 9-1-1 or 351-4900. The search will continue throughout the day.
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