Day/date: Monday, June 23, 1986
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Initial Report
Date/time of incident: 6/21 Date/time received: 6/23, 12:15
Park: Yosemite Park CI #:
Reported by: Duncan Morrow Phone(s):
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s):
Follow-up contact: Herb Gercke Phone(s):
Brief summary of incident: Fall - climbing - fatality.
Follow Up Report
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s):
Incident location: Yosemite Buttress
Summary: Party of two roped together. Both fell. A.F.C. died, J.C.
had minor injuries.
Gercke called Morrow. Said he hadn't seen memoranda yet.
Visitors involved:
Name Address DOB Sex
A.F.C. Yorba Linda 7/16/42 M
J.C.
Anticipated developments:
Any impacts on visitation?
Potential sensitivity?
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Initial Report
Date/time of incident: 6/21/86, ~6 p.m. CDT Date/time received: 6/23, 11:25
Park: Big Bend Park CI #:
Reported by: Ken Mabery Phone(s): FTS 476-6371
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s): 343-4874
Follow-up contact: Marty Ott, Actng. Super. Phone(s): 915-477-2251
Brief summary of incident: Murder.
Follow Up Report
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s): 343-4874
Incident location: San Vincenti Crossing -- legal crossing of Rio Grande
Summary: 4 people crossing river on 2 horses,, doubled-up. Person killed was
R.L.B., age 23, of San Vincenti, Mexico. Murder suspect is
M. Z-S., +/- 26. The two were next door neighbors.
M. Z-S. known to park for car theft at Big Bend in 10/85. Just
got out of prison. R.L.B. shot, apparently with .38, single gun shot to
chest. FBI has primary jurisdiction. Body to Ft. Bliss, TX, for autopsy.
FBI/NPS have interviewed 3 witnesses; suspect not in custody. One of
witnesses is cook for concessioner at Basin Lodge. No drug involvement
suspected. All had been drinking a lot. No motive yet.
Visitors involved:
Name Address DOB Sex
R.L.B. San Vincenti, Mexico 23 M
M. Z-S. San Vincenti, Mexico 26 M
Anticipated developments: Autopsy should be back in next few days. Will be
watching for Z-S. FBI will try to work with Mexico for extradition.
Any impacts on visitation? N/A
Potential sensitivity? N/A
FATALITY
Reported by: Gina Grey, SWRO FTS 476-6371
Time: 6/21, 0500 Reed Detring, Chief Ranger
Location: Canyon de Chelly
Tsegi overlook, South Rim drive
1 car motor vehicle accident. 2 people, juvenile passenger killed (17 yrs old);
driver okay.
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Initial Report
Date/time of incident: 6/22, 9 a.m. PDT Date/time received: 6/23, 11:39
Park: North Cascades Park CI #:
Reported by: Mark Forbes Phone(s): FTS 399-5670
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s): 343-4874
Follow-up contact: Jerry Lee, Asst. Dist. Mgr. Phone(s): 206-873-4590
Brief summary of incident: Fatality - Fall - Climbing
Follow Up Report
Received by: Bill Halainen Phone(s): 343-4874
Incident location: Just off west summit of Triad, a peak located in park.
Summary: Partner reported that they were descending unroped. Normal situation.
Partner heard rock slide. R.R. fell 200' and slid another 300-500', all on
rock. Another climbing party went to victim & determined DOA. That group
helped partner out to Marblemount Ranger Station. Park evacuated body. Next
of kin notified.
Visitors involved:
Name Address DOB Sex
R.R. Bothell, WA 1/1/49 M 36 yrs.
Anticipated developments: Concurrent investigation by Sheriffs office & NPS
Any impacts on visitation? N/A
Potential sensitivity? No
Reported by: Ken Mabery, SWRO 6/23
Park: Carlsbad Cavern
Rains started early Monday -- very heavy with flash floods. Had to close access
road at 10 a.m. Water reached 3-1/2' depth at dry arroyo crossings as of 9:30 p.m.
400 people stranded at Caverns. People were there all night -- bedded down in
Visitor Center. Used paper sleeping bags from fire cache, food supplies from
fire cache & concessioner & park residents.
Still raining this morning & flash flood warnings still up. Currents too strong
for either cars or buses.
No complains or medical problems. Got our VCR & showed tapes to visitor. Gave
special interpretive programs.
Will be getting updates later this morning.
Lots of local TV coverage. ABC news called from N.Y., too, but unknown if any
national coverage.
Update: Ken Mabery (Noon, EDT)
1 a.m. -- Waters started going down. Began moving people out of VC. By 3 a.m.,
401 visitors taken out via caravan. Had ranger at each of 7 dry crossings &
assisted people with headlights, spotlights & NPS vehicles. Operation completed
by 3:30.
By 8 a.m., waters back up to 3', so park entirely closed today and for at least
through Wednesday.
At Guadalupe, 5' section of Pine Springs campground road washed out. Campers on
high ground & not in danger. When water went down, they were able to scrape a
rough road through & get people out. Unknown at present whether road closed to
campground. 6 people stranded at Dog Canyon campground cuz of high waters, but no
problems.
Backcountry rangers contacting all parties to keep people out of bottoms &
off ridge tops.