Day/date: August 2, 1988



                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 88-162
Date/time of incident: 8/1, 3:20 pm  Date/time received: 8/2, 8:30 am
Park: Cape Hatteras     Location: South of the Ocracoke Campground
Reported by: Steve Smith, RAD,SERO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
C.S., 49, of Middleborn, West Virginia left his friends on the
unguarded beach to go swimming. Several minutes later C.S. began having
trouble in the water and was pulled to shore by his friends. A nurse on the
beach initially felt a weak pulse which then ceased. The nurse began CPR
and rangers were called. Rangers and the local rescue squad responded and
transported Smith to the local clinic where he was pronounced dead. The
Coroner has ruled the death a drowning.



                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Aircraft Accident
Log number: 88-164
Date/time of incident: 7/30, 11:40 am Date/time received: 8/2
Park: Sequoia/Kings Canyon Location: Vidette Meadows
Reported by: Herb Gercke, RAD, WRO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
At 11:30 am on July 30th, a single engine Cessna airplane crashed at 10,300
feet in Vidette Meadows, 200 feet from the John Muir Trail.  The plane,
piloted by C.D., 25 of Hayward, California, reportedly did not
experience any engine problems but apparently lacked the power needed to
clear the Sierra Nevada. Three of the four persons on board, including the
pilot died in the crash. The survivor is currently hospitalized in Valley
Medical in Fresno and is expected to live. A ranger was on the scene within
30 minutes and the victims were evacuated by helicopter shortly after.


                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: International Situation
Log number: 88-165
Date/time of incident: 7/31        Date/time received: 8/2
Park: Organ Pipe        Location: South Puerto Blanco Drive
Reported by: Herb Gercke, RAD, WRO
Received by: Jon Anglin, RAD, WASO

Incident Summary
On July 31st, during daylight hours, two seasonal park rangers on patrol in
a marked government vehicle were victims of an aggressive attack by three
Mexican Army soldiers. The three soldiers, engaged in anti-drug
interdiction duties had set up a road block in Mexico. Upon sighting the
NPS vehicle, which was about 400 yard north of the international boundary,
the three soldiers crossed the boundary fence carrying automatic weapons and
approached the vehicle at a run. About 50 feet inside the U.S. the soldiers
stopped and lowered their weapons as they realized the rangers were
uniformed NPS personnel. The rangers had immediately called for "backup"
and within minutes officers from the U.S. Custom Service, Border Patrol and
local Sheriff's Office arrived, along with officers in a Blackhawk
helicopter. It was later learned that one of the Mexican soldiers had fired
a warning shot into the air. The soldiers also stated that they had been
unaware of the international boundary when they crossed it.