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Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action

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avatar Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
September 05, 2008 07:25AM
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action

On the afternoon of Sunday, August 31st, rangers received a report that a man had taken a significant fall off the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. Helicopter 551 was ordered for a rappel and/or short-haul mission, while rangers and SAR site personnel blitzed up the trail. A second 911 caller reported that the man was still alive but had sustained multiple injuries.

Rangers Jack Hoeflich and Keith Lober rappelled onto the trail and were joined by ranger Rob Lewis, who had blitzed up the trail in record time. The three rangers reached the man, who was found in the inner gorge, and determined that his injuries were life-threatening. A park visitor was on scene with him and had clearly helped prevent his death by providing aid, keeping him calm, and helping rescuers reach him. Short-haul operations commenced, with Hoeflich attending the victim through the flight to Ahwahnee Meadow. At the meadow, medical care was provided by a doctor, nurses, paramedics and park medics. The patient was transferred to an air ambulance and was in flight to the hospital two hours and 15 minutes from the first 911 call. The extraordinary teamwork, talent and professionalism of the rangers, SAR site personnel, fire personnel, clinic staff and the heroic bystander saved the man's life.

Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
September 05, 2008 07:56AM
Awesome.
avatar Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
September 05, 2008 10:21AM
That's good to hear. Thanks for posting it.

Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
September 06, 2008 01:33PM
Anybody who can "blitz" up that trail deserves a lot of respect; while the bottom is shady, it doesn't fool around when it heads upward.

A large majority of folks going up that trail, regardless of how far they intend to go, end up with Columbia Point as their destination, and a lot don't even get to there. I can't even imagine "blitzing" to Columbia Point, those guys definitely are in top shape.





Gary
Yosemite Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse/yo
Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
January 07, 2011 12:33PM
That was my son who was rescued!! I thank God for each one that helped. Keith is doing very well. He was married last summer and is attending college.
avatar Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
September 06, 2008 02:51PM
Anyone who "gets word" on that trail would be blitzing to help. Including me.
Re: Injured Hiker's Life Saved Through Prompt Action
January 07, 2011 07:20PM
Nice to hear the update. Has he been back to the park?
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