Day/date: June 16, 1987
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Log number: 87-109
Date/time of incident: 6/12, 1115 pm Date/time received: 6/16, 10 am
Park: Blue Ridge Location: Milepost 100.7
Reported by: Don Russell, Law Enforcement Specialist, SERO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
Mr. S.D.B. lost control of his car while driving on the parkway. In the
ensuing accident, he was thrown from the car and killed, the front seat
passenger (Mr. D.E.C.) suffered serious injuries, and the two rear seat
passengers suffered minor injuries. All four had just graduated from high
school and were celebrating; alcohol was involved and it is probable that the
driver was operating under the influence. A local TV news crew was on the
scene shortly after the accident, and the driver's next of kin learned of
his death from television news before the park could call them.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
S.D.B. Roanoke, Virginia 5/13/69
D.E.C. Roanoke, Virginia Not given
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Log number: 87-110
Date/time of incident: 6/14, pm Date/time received: 6/16, 10 am
Park: Teddy Roosevelt Location: Caprock Coulee, North Unit
Reported by: John Chapman, Chief Ranger, RMRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
On June 15th, ranger's noticed that the P. vehicle, which had been seen
in the Caprock Coulee parking lot the previous day, was still there. The
owners were not around. A ranger and local sheriff entered the car and
found nothing which would indicate foul play or that the couple were on a
long trip. A check of their motel room revealed nothing unusual. An
air search was mounted yesterday, but was fruitless. The park was to bring
in 40 searchers, an Air Force helicopter and search dogs today. Although
acquaintances have indicated that both of the P.'s are in good health,
there is considerable concern since they have now been out in the open for
over 48 hours and daytime temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees each day.
Late report:
A telephone report from the superintendent to the region at 1:45 pm EDT
indicated that the couple had been found and that they're OK. No further
info available.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
F.P. Park Ridge, Illinois 77
M.P. Park Ridge, Illinois Not known
Chicago Tribune, Friday, June 19, 1987 Section 1 3
Elderly Park Ridge couple survive 2-day Badlands ordeal
By Karen M. Thomas
An elderly Park Ridge couple, lost for more than two days in the North
Dakota Badlands without food or water, say a buffalo in their path made
them lose their way.
F. and M.P. were found by rangers at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in
western North Dakota Tuesday morning less than a quarter of a mile from
where they left their car Sunday. F.P., 76, a retired locksmith, said he
and his wife of 44 years drove to the park Sunday morning. They planned
to walk a trail along the terrain of bedrock and clay.
"We parked the car up above and we were going to take this one-hour
walk," said Mrs. M.P., 72. "We didn't even think we would walk the
entire distance, but somehow we got lost. We went to turn around on the
trail and we saw a buffalo" in the middle of the path. "That scared us."
"We ran into a buffalo and, well, we weren't going to argue with him,"
P. said. "So we tried to sneak around, and we lost the trail."
The couple said they huddled together at night and searched for the path
during the day.
"It was like being in a big stadium, and you can't find an exit," P.
said.
"We had to fight the heat," P. said Wednesday from his motel room in
western North Dakota. "Wherever we could find some shrubbery, we would
sit or lie down and take the chance to get some relief. But there's not
much relief when it is about 100 degrees."
After being found, the couple, dehydrated and weak, spent a night at
McKenzie County Hospital in Watford City, N.D., and were released
Wednesday.
District Ranger Gerard Baker of the North Unit at the park noticed the
P.'s car at the trail entrance.
"On Sunday, I didn't think much about it," he said. "But when I came
back Monday and it was still there, I ran a check on the registration."
He said he saw Mrs. M.P.'s purse in the front seat, and when he found
out the car was registered to a man in his 70s, he decided that the
couple were lost.
Baker said he called for park rangers on horseback and dogs and
helicopters from nearby Minot Air Force Base to search for the couple.
On Monday the P.s saw the helicopter circling the trail.
"I was swinging my hanky, but they were too high up to see us," P. said.
"So my wife took her blouse off, because of the color. It had red in it.
"I said, 'Honey, some of those guys might see you up there.' But that
guy just turned the other way."
On Tuesday, Baker said, he and others heard P. yell for help just as a
search team was being organized. The couple said they saw the troopers
after climbing a ridge.
"I could barely make it," P. said. "I shouted from there, when I saw the
squad cars, dogs and troopers. Oh boy, they really went lickety-split up
there and gave us water."
Baker said the buffalo probably would not have hurt the couple and that
other wild animals in the park were not a threat.
"There's nothing really dangerous," he said. "I think this is the first
time that someone has gotten this lost in 15 years."
Baker said that when he reached Mrs. M.P., she showed signs of the first
stages of heat stroke.
"They wouldn't have survived another night," he said. "We had a severe
thunderstorm (Tuesday) night with high gales and rains, and it really
cooled off. I think what helped them was the warm weather and their
positive attitude."
As for next year's vacation plans, P. says the couple will not return.
"We're not going to the Badlands," he said. "We're going to the
goodlands or anywhere else. I think they should underline the bad part."
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Log number: 87-111
Date/time of incident: 6/15, 7 pm Date/time received: 6/16, 1130 am
Park: Yosemite Location: Tioga Road, Mono Pass Trailhead
Reported by: Jenny Hinson, Ranger Activities, WRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A.F.W. and J.G.C. were the occupants of a vehicle that went off the road
and hit a tree; both were killed. There's no indication of alcohol or of
excessive speed. A member of a park trail crew witnessed the accident,
but has not yet been interviewed.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
A.F.W. Ridgecrest, California 9/10/49
J.G.C. Not given About 13
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Log number: 87-112
Date/time of incident: 6/16, 0030 am Date/time received: 6/16, 1 pm
Park: Joshua Tree Location: 1 mile west of Pinto wye
Reported by: Ann Betus, Ranger Activities, WRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A motor vehicle accident in the park resulted in the death of the driver,
Mr. D.P., and the injury of two passengers. One is presently in
critical condition.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
D.P. Unknown About 22
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Log number: 87-113
Date/time of incident: 6/16, 140 am Date/time received: 6/16, 130 pm
Park: New River Location: Glen Jean Township
Reported by: Steve Alscher, Law Enforcement Specialist, MARO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A fire was discovered in the historic two-story Taylor House, which the park
acquired five days ago. The building was seriously damaged, but the scope
and extent of the fire is not currently known. Arson is suspected. The
house was boarded up, but the first person on the scene discovered a board
torn off in the rear of the building - the apparent entry point. The fire
also began on the first floor, but the fire marshall indicates that all
electrical wiring is on the second floor of the building. Investigation
underway. The building is 75-100 years old.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age