Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: An SUV lies upended after a fatal single-vehicle crash early Dec. 23. It appeared the SUV had rolled as it slid off the side of a mesa into a canyon in the area northwest of the Solomon Bridge. The lone occupant, Rory C. Long, 43, of Safford, died at the scene.
Staff Reports
GRAHAM COUNTY – Rory C. Long, 43, of Safford, died in the early morning hours of Dec. 23 at the scene of a single-vehicle rollover
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office news release, at about 1:10 a.m. Graham County Communications was notified by Apple Services regarding a severe crash and was transferred to a male asking for help. The male, later identified as Long, was able to say he had been in an accident and needed help. Communications received GPS coordinates showing a general range of where the call was coming from, and law enforcement and medical personnel responded to the area and began to search.
The search continued for approximately 40 minutes until Long was located having been ejected from his vehicle. The victim was located yards from his SUV. It appeared the SUV had rolled as it slid off the side of a mesa into a canyon in the area northwest of the Solomon Bridge. The victim was severely injured in the accident.
Due to weather conditions, air support was unavailable. Medical personnel had to hike to the victim. It was determined Graham County Search and Rescue might be able to assist in getting the victim out to the road and was paged. The victim was placed on a backboard due to the severity of his injuries, and while moving him he stopped breathing. He was pronounced deceased at the location.
The victim was later taken to the Pima County Medical Examiner where an autopsy was scheduled. The family was notified on Dec. 23. The investigation is ongoing.
