NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, October 2, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-627 - Haleakala NP (HI) - Bicycle Accidents with Serious Injuries

Despite close monitoring of the five commercial bike tour incidental business
permittees operating in the park, there's been an average of one bike
accident every two-and-a-half business days this year.  On September 21st,
G.C., 46, suffered lumbar vertebrae compression fractures when he
lost control of his bicycle, ran off the narrow shoulder of the road, went
down an embankment, and landed on his back in a lava field.  He was treated
on scene by park paramedic Kerry Buck and transported to a hospital by
ambulance.  Three days later, 52-year-old J.W. was severely injured
while on a tour ride when she reportedly struck a rock, fell over the
handlebars, and landed on a rock.  First responder Mike Ing, EMTs Sharon
Ringsven and John Lauretig and park medic Bob Zydanowicz provided advanced
life support.  Initial response was delayed because bike tour leaders moved
J.W. from the area and responding rangers had difficulty finding her.  J.W.
at first responded only to pain stimuli, but improved slightly with the
administration of oxygen and fluids.  She was taken to a hospital and
underwent surgery for extensive liver damage.  She is now in guarded
condition.  This accident received considerable media attention because
J.W.'s husband is the president of Arkansas State University.  Two more bike
accidents occurred shortly thereafter.  While bike tour leaders were
rendering aid to J.W., a rider on another tour who was "rubber-necking"
while passing the accident scene fell and suffered minor injuries.  Then,
just minutes after the ambulance carrying J.W. left the park, another
cyclist fell near the same curve and was injured.  On average, over 360
riders per day take part in commercial bike tours in the park.  There have
been 104 accidents so far this year.  Contributing circumstances vary and
include inattention, speed, and riders overestimating their ability to handle
the steep, winding road, which drops 10,000 feet to sea level over 36 miles. 
[Kerry Buck, PR, Summit District, HALE, 9/28]

98-628 - Haleakala NP (HI) - Rescue

On September 28th, ranger/EMTs John Lauretig and Roger Mayo responded to a
pre-dawn fall in the rocks near the park's visitor center.  D.W.,
who led the bike tour in which J.W. was injured (above), fell while
walking down the White Hill trail and fractured his hip.  D.W. was
immobilized and evacuated up a scree slope, transported to Maui Memorial
Hospital, where he was stabilized, then flown to a hospital in Honolulu for
further care.  [Karen Ardoin, CR, HALE, 9/28]

98-629 - Redwood N&SP (CA) - Archeological Resource Thefts

On September 9th, a fire lookout told rangers that she'd seen two people
carrying objects that had evidently been collected from an area that was
recently burned during a prescribed fire and load the items into their pickup
truck.  The area is near Bald Hills, an archeological district on the
National Register of Historic Places with many prehistoric sites.  Shortly
thereafter, rangers contacted M.D., 34, and L.G., 24, both
of Orick, California.  A stone tool and 18 pieces of obsidian were found in
the truck.  Park archeologists estimated that the stone was about 1,200 years
old and may have been used for making either pigments or medicinal materials. 
The obsidian appears to have originated in the Siskiyou Mountains and may
have been obtained through trade by members of the Chilula, Hoopa and Yurok
tribes who inhabited the area.  Rangers also found a rifle, four recently
pulled marijuana plants, and paraphernalia.  Violation notices were issued;
ARPA charges are being sought through the U.S. attorney's office.  Durfee
will also be charged with violation of probation.  [Paige Ritterbusch, REDW,
9/28]

98-630 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Remains Found

Hikers found skeletal remains close to the historic railroad trail near
Boulder Beach on September 28th and reported the discovery to rangers.  The
victim apparently died within the last year.  Las Vegas homicide detectives
have been called in to assist in the investigation.  Although there were no
obvious signs of foul play, the discovery is being treated as a possible
homicide until the autopsy is concluded.  [Karen Whitney, LAME, 9/29]

                       [Additional reports pending...]

FIRE/INCIDENT ACTIVITY

Fire reports have been discontinued due to the lack of significant activity.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Submissions pending.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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