NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, October 15, 2007

===============================================================================================================

INCIDENTS

Haleakala NP

Update: Body of Missing Man Found And Recovered

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 6th, rangers received a report of a missing swimmer in a closed section of a river above Makahiku Falls in Kipahulu. A search of the river began immediately with the assistance of the Coast Guard and local emergency service organizations, but proved completely fruitless and was suspended on Sunday afternoon. E.P., 27, hiked up to a deep pool above the falls with two companions to do some jumping in the water even though the Kipahulu area has been under a month-long closure due to high water and rangers had contacted him that morning and emphasized that the area was closed. When E.P.'s companions turned around to return, they heard a splash behind them. E.P. had either decided to jump in anyhow or slipped and fell 40 feet into the water. By Thursday morning, the river had receded enough to make it possible for ground crews to resume the search for him. His body was found in the pool where he'd disappeared. Alcohol was likely a contributing factor. [Dominic Cardea, Public Affairs Officer]

HYPERLINK "http://starbulletin.com/2007/10/12/news/story09.html" http://starbulletin.com/2007/10/12/news/story09.html

Blue Ridge Parkway

Update: Second Man Jailed In Drug Case

A second man has been sentenced to time in jail following a drug and weapons arrest that was made in the park late last winter. On February 4th, ranger Greg Johnston saw a vehicle turning off the parkway with a bow and arrow on the rear seat. He stopped it and contacted the operator, S.L.C. of Galax, Virginia. During a search of S.L.C. and the vehicle, Johnston recovered a concealed pistol, brass knuckles and a large amount of bundled cash. A Carroll County Sheriff's Office canine alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about six ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales, cellophane bags, a box of meth pipes, night vision goggles, and an audio cassette tape containing a monologue by S.L.C. in which he described his drug activities and ability to avoid capture. The total cash seized came to $18,641. S.L.C. was arrested, tried in court in April, convicted of possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with intent to distribute, and sentenced in July to 13 1/2 years in prison. During the trial, Joseph Carrico, the defendant's cousin, testified on his behalf. He said that Scotty S.L.C. was driving a car that he'd loaned him that day and that he had accidentally left the pistol in the vehicle. He also testified that he had used methedrine for approximately four years, had used it heavily during the months of January, February and part of March, and had purchased the gun during this time period. He said that he'd consumed methedrine on the day of the arrest, gone target shooting, then transported the vehicle to Scotty S.L.C.'s location with the weapon in it. While the jury was deliberating, ranger Greg Johnston and U.S. marshals submitted a criminal complaint charging Joseph Carrico with purchase and possession of a firearm by a person addicted to a controlled substance and acquired an arrest warrant from the district court judge. Joseph Carrico was then arrested in the lobby of the federal courthouse. He subsequently pled guilty in federal court. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to five months in federal prison, with three years' supervised release. Ranger Greg Johnston was case agent and assistant United States attorney Zachary Lee prosecuted the cases. [Greg Johnston, Park Ranger]

Olympic NP

Missing Fisherman Found By Searchers

A search for an overdue fisherman in the Sol Duc Valley came to a happy conclusion on Friday when C.K. was found safe and well along the North Fork Sol Duc River. C.K., a lieutenant with East Jefferson Fire-Rescue, went fishing on Thursday afternoon with two friends along the river, which is located about 30 miles west of Port Angeles. The section of river they were fishing is remote and accessible only by trail. The three began their fishing/hiking trip at the North Fork Sol Duc trailhead, about a mile south of Salmon Cascades along the Sol Duc Road. They planned to fish and walk downstream along the river about three miles to the point where it meets Sol Duc Road. After walking down river for about a mile, C.K. and his fishing partners separated, with C.K. continuing downstream while the other two returned to the trailhead. When C.K. failed to meet his two companions that evening, a hasty search was begun and continued until dark. The search resumed early Friday morning, with many of C.K.'s co-workers working on their own time to assist park staff with the search. C.K. was located, tired but in good health, at approximately 12:45 p.m., just shy of his intended destination. [Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer]

Great Falls Park

Injured Hiker Rescued By Crew Of “Eagle”

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 6th, the crew of “Eagle,” the Park Police helicopter, flew to Great Falls to find and rescue an injured hiker from the Billy Goat trail. An aerial search was conducted and he was located on the trail opposite Sanding Landing. Rescuers on the ground were directed to his location. The hiker was found to have suffered a fracture of the right arm. Due to the danger posed to the injured hiker and rescuers by a carryout, the crew of “Eagle” elected to hoist him out. Pilot/sergeant Ken Burchell bought “Eagle” to a 40-foot hover just above the tree line. Rescue technician/officer Eric Haapapuro cleared the aircraft from the cliffs and rocks on the left side of the aircraft, while the hoist operator, rescue technician/sergeant Chris Perkins, lowered the Billy Pugh rescue device to the ground. The hiker was then loaded on board and flown to a local hospital for treatment. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, US Park Police]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories (among others) can be read on either the InsideNPS web site (if you are within the National Park Service) or at the InsideNPS public ‘news digest' site (if you are outside of the NPS). The web sites are, respectively, HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/" http://inside.nps.gov/ and ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/).

* Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Planning and fundraising continue for the scheduled 2010 groundbreaking for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center on the National Mall. According to its proponents, the center will remember those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and will also provide context for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

* Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.

* Alaska Region - Greg Dudgeon has been selected as superintendent for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Dudgeon is scheduled to assume his new post in Fairbanks in December.

* * * * *

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828).

--- ### ---