Day/date: May 4, 1988
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Fatality
Log number: 88-69
Date/time of incident: 5/1, 5:30 pro. Date/time received: 5/4, 10 am
Park: Big Thicket Location: Heches River
Reported by: Vivian Garber, RAD, SWRO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO
Summary:
B.L. had been drinking with two companions when he decided to go swimming.
B.L. had difficulty swimming, going under and surfacing twice before
disappearing. His companions made several unsuccessful attempts to locate
B.L.. B.L.'s body was recovered at noon on 5/3, by Orange County Sheriffs
Department Divers.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
B.L. Vidor, Texas 34
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Suicide
Log number: 88-70
Date/time of incident: 4/28, 445 pm Date/time received: 5/4, 2 pm
Park: Great Smoky Mtns. Location: Sugarlands Trailhead
Reported by: Don Russell, RAD, SERO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO
Summary:
The Jefferson County, Louisiana, Sheriffs Office advised park staff that
W.L.P. had sent his wife a suicide letter from nearby Bryson City, NC and
might be in the park. A short time after receiving the report, W.L.P.'s
vehicle was found at the Sugerlands Mountain Trail trailhead; his body a
short distance away surrounded by a large variety of empty pill containers.
The labels on the containers indicated that W.L.P., a pharmacist, had issued
the prescriptions to himself.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
W.L.P. Harvey, Louisiana 9/21/56
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Explosion/Mutual Aid
Log number: 88-71
Date/time of incident: 5/4, noon Date/time received: 5/4, 5 pm
Park: Lake Mead Location: Henderson, Nevada
Reported by: Herb Gercke, RAD, WRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO
Summary:
As a result of the explosion which destroyed the American Pacific rocket
fuel plant in Henderson, Lake Mead closed all park roads which were in the
direct path of the chemical cloud. Once it was learned that the cloud was
not toxic, the roads were reopened and employed to route traffic diverted
away from Henderson. Three fire trucks and 22 park rangers from Lake Mead
have been dispatched to provide emergency assistance. Henderson is 8 miles
due west from Lake Mead headquarters in Boulder City.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
N/A
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Motor Vehicle Accident: Two Visitor Fatalities
Log lumber: 88-72
Date/time of incident: 4/30; 5:30 pm Date/time received: 5/4; 2 pm
Park: Blueridge Pkw. Location: North of Mabry Mill
Reported by: Bon Russell, RAD, SERO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO
Summary:
The pickup truck driven by M.C.D. crossed the centerline on a curve,
striking the motorcycle ridden by the C.'s head-on and killed both of
them instantly. M.C.D.'s injures were limited to cuts and bruises.
R.L.H. and J.H., both passengers in M.C.D.'s vehicle, were hospitalized
with severe head injuries. J.H. is comatose. Evidence indicates that
M.C.D. was under the influence of alcohol.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
J.H.C. Millageville, GA 8/5/38
M.H.C. Millageville, GA 10/29/39
M.C.D. Mechanicsville, VA 19
R.L.H. Mechanicsville, VA 20
J.H. Mechanicsville, VA 20
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Assault
Log number: 88-73
Date/time of incident: 4/29 Date/time received: 5/4
Park: Bryce Canyon Location: TWS Dormitory
Reported by: Tom McDonnell, RAD, RMRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO
Summary:
During the early morning hours of the 29th, rangers were awakened by a cry
for help over the park radio system. A TWS concession employee had broken
into an NFS residence to gain access to the radio and seek assistance
following an incident in which one 39-year-old male TWS employee had
sexually assaulted another, unconscious 19-year-old male employee. The
attack had occurred after a party involving other concession employees, some
of them under age, in which large quantities of alcohol were allegedly
consumed. Rangers arrested the assailant, who is now incarcerated in the
Garfield County jail on two felony charges. Prosecution will be conducted
through the county.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age