Seriously Injured Bryce Visitor Treated And Evacuated By Helicopter

Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)
Seriously Injured Visitor Treated And Evacuated By Helicopter

On the afternoon of May 29th, rangers received a call for assistance from the Canyon Trail rides concessionaire regarding a woman with an injured leg on the Peek-a-Boo Loop Trail. The wrangler on scene described the seriousness of the injury, prompting rangers to call for additional resources from the county and other divisions within the park. The local response was rapid, organized and professional. Rangers and EMT’s were on scene within minutes of the initial request for help. The woman's leg was twisted at an awkward angle, probably indicating a spiral femur fracture. Tropic Fire Department EMT’s started an IV and administered morphine. Due to the serious nature of the injury, personnel on scene made the determination that she should be airlifted to the nearest hospital equipped to handle this type of trauma. Tropic Fire Department EMT's and rangers applied a traction splint, prepared her for transport, and hauled her to a ridge on the Peek-A-Boo Loop where a Classic Lifeguard air medical transport helicopter was able to touch down. This is the first time in many years that a helicopter has landed within the Bryce Amphitheater among the hoodoos, requiring considerable expertise by the pilot. The woman was then flown to Dixie Regional Medical Center. The park extends its thanks to the dedicated Tropic Fire Department personnel who volunteer countless hours of training and applied skills to saving human lives. The park would also like to extend a special thanks to the retired civilian doctor who remained with the patient and monitored her condition throughout the ordeal.