NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Monday, November 14, 2005

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INCIDENTS

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Motor Scooter Accident, EMS Rescue

On October 23rd, a 65-year-old man from Lexington, Indiana, was driving a motor scooter northbound on the Newfound Gap Road with his 12-year-old stepson as a passenger when he lost control and crashed head-on into a southbound mini-van. Earlier in the day, he had rented the scooter from a rental company in Gatlinburg and traveled up the mountain to Newfound Gap. On his return trip downhill, he entered the “Loop,” a sharp, 360-degree turn, where he lost control of the scooter and crossed into the southbound lane. The operator of the mini-van in the opposite lane swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid the scooter, but struck it head-on. The scooter operator was knocked clear, and the scooter was run over and lodged under the mini-van. The 12-year-old passenger on the scooter was ejected over the handlebars, hit the van's hood, and was thrown over the top of the van, coming to rest on the road about 17 feet from the van. Two rangers were first on scene. One of the rangers, also a park medic, administered advanced life support to the juvenile while the other ranger managed the accident scene. The juvenile suffered a very severe open fracture of the lower leg and possible internal injuries. He was stabilized on scene by the ranger/park medic and paramedics from Gatlinburg FD and was transferred by ambulance to the Oconaluftee Overlook, where a waiting Life Star Medical helicopter flew him to UT Medical Center in Knoxville. The juvenile was in intensive care for several days, but has since been stabilized. He is expected to make a full recovery. The boy was wearing a helmet during the accident, which probably saved his life. The scooter operator sustained minor injuries and refused treatment. The incident remains under investigation. [Rick Brown, District Ranger]

Glacier NP

Concession Employee Sentenced on Assault Charge

On November 2nd, a former Glacier Park Inc. employee was sentenced on federal assault charges in Missoula, Montana, stemming from a September 22nd incident at Lake McDonald Lodge. Rangers arrested the man following an early morning callout for an injured concession employee. On scene, rangers determined that the victim had been struck multiple times in the face and head in an unprovoked attack. The victim and other witnesses identified the man as the attacker. The victim of the assault suffered numerous injuries that required surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation. The concession employee pled guilty to federal assault charges on September 27th; he was sentenced to 15 days incarceration, with credit for five days served, and ordered to pay a total of $14,592.14 in restitution for medical expenses. He will remain on supervised federal probation for three years following his release. [Patrick Suddath, West Lakes District Ranger]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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