Day/date: June 24, 1988
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Climbing Fatalities
Log number: 88-116
Date/time of incident: 6/21, 7 pm Date/time received: 6/24, 7 am
Park: Wrangell-St. Elias Location: Mount Blackburn
Reported by: Jay Wells, Chief Ranger, WRST
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO
Incident Summary
Four Japanese climbers were in the process of descending from one climbing
camp to another on the 21st when a three-foot thick slab of ice broke loose
30 feet above them and caused an avalanche which swept 49-year-old S.O.
and 30-year-old T.M. down approximately 4,000' of vertical
rock bands, ice falls and hanging glaciers. Expedition leader Y.T.
was near the edge of the avalanche and was carried about 30'
downslope before he was belayed to a stop by S.Y., the fourth
climber. Y.T. was not injured. The two climbers tried to reach their
comrades, but were unable to descend further than about 500' due to
extremely hazardous conditions. They then descended to their base camp and
unsuccessfully attempted to obtain assistance with their portable CB radio.
The two were picked up by a scheduled air taxi the next day; the pilot
advised park rangers at Gulkana of the incident, and a search was organized
by rangers and Alaska state troopers. One body was seen at the terminus of
the slide at 7,300', but hazardous conditions and steep slopes prohibited a
landing. The troopers asked Parks Canada wardens from Kluane National Park
to respond with their climbing team and a helicopter equipped for long line
rescue. A recovery attempt was then made, but lowering clouds precluded
helicopter evacuation. Rangers and wardens are currently standing by
waiting for a break in the weather.
Although not mandatory, the climbers did not register or contact park
rangers before the climb. They carried CB radios, but neither the park nor
the state monitor CB frequencies.
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Search for Drowning Victim
Log number: 88-117
Date/time of incident: 6/20, 5 pm Date/time received: 6/24, 7 am
Park: Wrangell-St. Elias Location: Canyon Falls
Reported by: Jay Wells, Chief Ranger, WRST
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO
Incident Summary
M.A., his son N., and 39-year-old G.M., all from
Wassilla, AK, were rafting down the Gulkana River on the 20th. While
running the rapids at Canyon Falls with M.A., G.M. fell off
the raft, went over a four-foot-high waterfall, and was last seen floating
down the river. M.A. managed to get the raft to the camp and searched the
bank on foot downstream from the falls. He found no sign of G.M..
M.A. and his son spent the night in their camp, then rafted to the
Sourdough pull-out and reported the incident to Alaska state troopers. At
about 8 pm on the 21st, an NPS helicopter with a contract pilot, state
trooper and M.A. aboard began a search of the river. G.M.'s body was
not found. Alaska state troopers are continuing the search.
Neither M.A. nor G.M. were wearing life jackets at the time of the
accident.
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Serious Visitor Injury
Log number: 88-118
Date/time of incident: 6/19, 1130 am Date/time received: 6/24, 7 am
Park: Delaware Water Gap Location: Buttermilk Falls
Reported by: Ginny Paci, RAD, MARO
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO
Incident Summary
J.M., 27, of Colts Neck, NJ, was hiking along Buttermilk Falls with
two companions on the 19th. While attempting to cross the falls, J.M.
slipped on some moss and fell approximately 70'. Rangers responded, and
J.M. was evacuated by helicopter to the Lehigh Medical Center in
Allentown, PA. Doctors report that he fractured several limbs and his
skull, and that he is presently in a coma. The prognosis for recovery from
the coma is not good.
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 88-119
Date/time of incident: 6/23, noon Date/time received: 6/24, 8:15
Park: Cape Hatteras Location: Rodanthe
Reported by: Steve Smith, RAD, SERO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO
Incident Summary
B.C.P., 38, of Wheeling, WV, his wife and 11 year old son were
swimming at the unguarded beach when they were all caught in a riptide.
Mrs. B.C.P. and their son succeeded in getting to shore safely. B.C.P. had to
be pulled from the water. NPS rangers and Dare County Emergency personnel
responded and performed CPR for 45 minutes before B.C.P. was pronounced dead
at the Outer Banks Health Clinic.
RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 88-120
Date/time of incident: 6/23, 12:30 pm Date/time received: 6/24, 11:30 am
Park: Olympic Location: The Staircase on the Skokomish River
Reported by: Reed Jarvis, RAD, PNRO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASo
Incident Summary
P.B., 55, of Lake Cushman, WA, was fishing with her grandson
(age 3) and granddaughter (age 6), when the grandson caught a fish and fell
into the 45 degree water. P.B. jumped in to save the boy and both were
swept away. The granddaughter ran for assistance and met a party of 2
doctors and 2 nurses. One doctor went to notify NPS staff members stationed
nearby. The other doctor pulled the boy from the river and began treatment
for shock and hypothermia; the boy had been in the water approximately 3
minutes. NPS fire crew members recovered P.B. after she had been in the
water about 5 minutes. She was not breathing and had no vital signs; CPR
was initiated by the doctors at the scene with no results. P.B. was
pronounced dead by the doctors at the scene.