The remains of Donald Hayes, 74, were discovered in a rugged area of ​​Mingus Mountain. His dog, Ranger, was with him when searchers found the body.
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — Yavapai County authorities say a missing hiker was recently discovered dead and his faithful dog remained by his side until rescue crews found them both.
Donald Hayes, 74, of Prescott Valley contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office last Friday after getting lost on Mingus Mountain.
YCSO advised the lost hiker to stay at their current location until a rescue team arrives. But authorities have been unable to locate Hayes or his Ranger dog.
Rescue teams spent the next few days searching for the hiker on the ground and in the air over rough terrain.
On Wednesday, YCSO reported that Hayes was found dead in a hard-to-reach area.
Ranger was found alive and had stayed with Hayes. The dog was taken to an animal hospital for treatment, YCSO said.
The sheriff’s office said a medical examiner will determine exactly how Hayes died.
VERSION EN ESPAÑOL: Excursionista perdido de Arizona fue encontrado muerto; police dijo que su perro fiel se quedó a su lado hasta el final
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