NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

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INCIDENTS

Grand Teton NP

Assist on Structural Fire with Fatalities

A total of 20 NPS and concession staff led an interagency fire response to a reported explosion in the Pacific Creek housing area adjacent to the park's north district on the evening of March 22nd. First arriving units discovered that a private two-story residence had been completely destroyed by an explosion that spread debris more than 200 yards. Two of the three adult occupants were apparently killed instantly. Two citizens rescued the third occupant from the collapsed structure as fire engulfed the remains of the residence. Park medics treated the survivor for trauma and burns while transporting her to an Idaho life-flight helicopter. Command of the incident was released to the Teton County fire chief an hour into the response. Suppression efforts lasted seven-and-a-half hours and involved four engines, three water tenders, and two rescue trucks. They were complicated by more than three feet of snow, no local water hydrants, a 40 minute turnaround to refill air bottles, and temperatures in the low teens. Teton County is coordinating the fire investigation and the removal of one victim located after suppression was completed on the morning of March 23rd. This was the first multiple fatality fire in Teton County's history. [Patrick W. Hattaway, North District Ranger]

Cape Hatteras NS

Surfer Becomes Entangled in Jetty and Drowns

On Saturday, March 25th, a 40-year-old man from Hyattesville, Maryland, was at the beach surfing with a friend near the jetties by the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. There was a strong littoral current moving to the south. He paddled out on the north side of the southernmost jetty and the littoral current pushed him into the jetty, where he became entangled. Two surfers in the area (including an off-duty ranger) went to help the man and were able to bring him to shore. CPR was begun by the ranger and Hatteras Island Rescue Squad members. Dare County EMS arrived on scene, provided advanced life support, and transported him to the Avon Medical Clinic, where he was later pronounced dead. [Paul Stevens, Law Enforcement Specialist]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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