Day/date: June 26, 1987

                        Field Incident Updates

The following short summaries have been prepared as follow-ups to incidents
which were reported earlier this year. The number of the original incident
and a brief statement of what originally occurred precedes each update:

87-13: Sandy Hook - A structural fire resulted in heavy damage to government
quarters. The cause at the time was undetermined. Update: The damage
totalled $45,000, and it's uncertain whether the park will attempt to rebuild
the structure. Cause was determined to be accidental.

87-19: Saguaro - An air balloon was reported to have crashed into Panther Peak
in the park. Update: The operator claimed to have landed because of
turbulence, but rangers found that the balloons fuel tanks were empty. The
balloon v/as dismantled and removed. The pilot v/as cited for resource
destruction.

87-25: Canyon de Chelly - A student on spring break fell 600' over the canyon
edge to his death for reasons that were at the time unclear. Update: The
death was ruled as accidental, with fatigue and alcohol as contributing
factors.

87-29: Independence - A woman burned herself to death in the park. Update:
The investigation is on-going. The woman is still unidentified, and the death
has been tentatively ruled as a suicide.

87-37: Big Cypress - A body was found in a rock pit in the park. Update: The
victim is still unidentified, but the incident is thought to be drug-related.
The local sheriff's office is investigating.

87-39: Great Smokies - A fire destroyed the home of the director of the Job
Corps Center. The cause was not known. Update: The investigation is
on-going, and the cause is still not certain.

87-40: Curecanti - The superintendent came across a body while walking in the
park. Update: The body has been identified as the 20 or 21-year-old son of a
prominent local realtor. Cause of death was a blow to the back of the head.
The victim was determined to have been dead three months at the time of
discovery. He was known to be mentally unstable and suicidal. His car had
been found some time earlier a fair distance from the park, and it appears
that the body washed down the river from outside the park.

87-41: Yosemite - A hiker was hit by falling rocks on the Tenaya Creek trail
and was reported to be in critical condition. Update: The man is recovering
from head injuries. NO cause has been determined for the fall. The area is
still roped off, and the trail will have to be rebuilt.

87-45: Big Bend - A woman was mauled by a mountain lion, who was later tracked
down and destroyed. Update: The autopsy of the cat showed that it was a
healthy, 15-month-old male. He had nothing in his intestines, and was not
rabid. A month before, he had been drugged, captured and collared by the
park. Drugs used were Ace Promazine and Ketamine. He had lost a few pounds
since then, but was nutritionally healthy.

87-47: Big Bend - A man hiking with his family left them to get water. He was
found dead the next day. Update: An autopsy was performed and the cause of
death was determined to have been heat stroke (it was 104 degrees that day).

87-76: Denali - Four climbers - two two-man teams - from Banff and Anchorage
were reported overdue in mid-May. Search crews were unable to locate any of
them despite extensive efforts, update: Evidence was found indicating all
four were likely swept away by an avalanche. A stuff sack belonging to one
climber was found where the avalanche came to rest about 2000' further down
the mountain. A presumptive death hearing will be held before a magistrate
in July.

87-110: Theodore Roosevelt - A search was undertaken on June 15th for an
elderly couple who disappeared in the park. There was considerable concern
due to daily temperatures exceeding 100 degrees at the time. Update: Although
dehydrated and weak, the couple was found in moderately good health the next
day. They had been on a trail when they encountered a buffalo; in their
attempt to avoid him, they got lost. Rangers feel they wouldn't have survived
another night in the open.

87-115: Kenai Fjords - Two visitors were injured - one seriously - when ice
calved off Exit Glacier and hit them. Update: On June 17th, Mrs. G.
died due to multiple traumatic injuries.

June 26, 1987

Melissa Warner
Bill Halainen
Ranger Activities



                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Successful SAR, Victim Found
Log number: 87-127
Date/time of incident: 6/24,                        Date/time received: 6/26
Park: Yosemite NP                             Location: Tuolumne Meadows
Reported by: Chris Merillat, WRD
Received by: Melissa Warner,WaSO

Summary:
On June 24, at approximately 6:00pm, L.M. was reported missing by
his father who was camped at site A76 in the Tuolumne Meadows Campground. A
search was initiated involving approximately 150 people, 2 dog teams, and 3
helicopters. L.M. is 26 years of age and severely retarded. On Friday,
June 26, at 6:00pm L.M. was reported found in good condition. He was
medivaced to the Yosemite Clinic were he was treated for minor cuts and
scratches. He was then released to his family. The search generated a great
deal of media, coverage in the Bay Area. The National Park Service received
favorable comments for their successful efforts.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age
L.M.                        Agnew State Hospital, CA         25