NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, October 17, 2011

INCIDENTS

Lake Roosevelt NRA

One Killed, One Injured In Boating Accident

On October 7th, rangers and Lincoln County deputies responded to a report of an out-of-control vessel on the water outside of Keller Ferry Marina. A 61-year-old man and his 53-year-old wife were traveling upriver on plane when the steering arm came free from the engine bracket, causing the vessel to lurch into a tight counter-clockwise spin and ejecting both of them into the water. Arriving rangers used their pocket “green-amber-red” cards from Operational Leadership to assess the risks involved in trying to stop the spinning boat. They determined it was too dangerous and kept other boat traffic away while they waited for it to run out of gas. The man was found to be unconscious and suffering from lacerations to his left foot caused by the boat's propeller. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was flown to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where she was treated and recovered. The nut and washer that held the steering arm onto the engine bracket were found resting in the transom of the boat, with the bolt still in place on the engine bracket. Rangers noted that the occupants were not wearing lifejackets and that a kill switch was not used. This is the second recorded boating accident at Lake Roosevelt involving the separation of a nut and bolt from a steering assembly since August, 2010. Park staff who operate vessels are urged to inspect this connection as part of their “pre-flight” checklist. [Marty Huseman, Chief Ranger]

Shenandoah NP

Rangers Testify At Homicide Trial

A minivan went off Skyline Drive on September 27, 2010, and ended up several hundred feet below the Jenkins Gap Overlook, where rangers found stuck in heavy vegetation. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as C.D., 50, of Fairfax, Virginia, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Rangers found a suicide note at the accident scene and C.D. later admitted to attempting suicide by purposefully driving off the overlook. C.D. was treated for her injuries and admitted for psychiatric evaluation. On November 29, 2010 C.D. was shopping with her family in Tysons Corner, Virginia, when she picked up her two-year-old granddaughter and threw her off the fifth story of a parking garage, killing the girl. C.D. was arrested and confessed to the crime, which was captured on mall video surveillance. Earlier this month, two rangers testified in the murder trial regarding the earlier suicide attempt in the park. C.D. pled not guilty by reason of insanity. On Thursday, October 6th, she was found guilty of first-degree murder and the jury recommended a sentence of 35 years in prison. Media interest in the case was high. [Stu Curtin, Park Ranger]

HYPERLINK "http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g294LBh-Dp7wZEGZghBBCRVG6Irw?docId=3bff220812c4454db81fbd0c3d5c1851" http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g294LBh-Dp7wZEGZghBBCRVG6Irw?docId=3bff220812c4454db81fbd0c3d5c1851

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):

Dinosaur NM - The park's new Quarry Visitor Center and rehabilitated Quarry Exhibit Hall were opened to the public in separate ceremonies in late September and early October. The old visitor center was closed in July 2006 because of significant life safety issues.

Cultural Resources - National Park Service cultural resources experts from parks and the Washington office responded from mid-June to mid-September to Presidentially-declared disasters in Alabama and Montana. Photo.

Office of International Affairs - On October 7th, the National Park Service and International Ranger Federation signed a memorandum of understanding. IRF is comprised of 57 ranger associations from 47 countries, including the NPS Association of National Park Rangers. Photo.

Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings, newly introduced bills, and the status of legislation of interest to the National Park Service.

National Parks Conservation Association - On October 14th, the National Parks Conservation Association awarded former Colorado NM superintendent Joan Anzelmo the Stephen T. Mather Award for her commitment to preserving the integrity and open access of the park for all visitors. Photo.

Office of Communications - Vic Knox has been named the Service's associate director for park planning, facilities and lands.

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The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced with the support of the Office of the Assistant Director for Information Resources and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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