NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Monday, June 9, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Glen Canyon NRA
Couple Rescued After Four Days Stranded In Backcountry
Park dispatch received a call routed through 911 from Kane County dispatch on May 31st regarding people stranded in the backcountry and needing medical attention. A Pennsylvania couple in their 60s had rented a two-wheel drive sedan and were vacationing in the Glen Canyon area. They planned to drive from Big Water to Escalante, both small towns in southern Utah, via a rugged four-wheel drive road. They later reported that the GPS unit in their vehicle advised that they could travel this route. About 45 miles from Big Water, though, the vehicle broke down after the oil pan was ripped out and the engine seized. The couple had several bottles of water and soda with them, but no food nor other means of survival. After being stranded for four days with daytime temperatures in the high 80s, they were able to flag down a visitor on a dirt bike who called 911 on his cell phone. Classic Lifeguard launched two helicopters from Page to fly the couple out. They were extremely dehydrated and were kept at the hospital overnight for observation. The couple never stopped at any of the various visitor centers to ask for information, nor did they did turn back when they came upon signs on this backcountry road which said that the road was impassable. If they hadn't encountered the person on the dirt bike, it's likely that they would have perished. Rangers are increasingly dealing with visitors who rely on navigation systems which may provide misleading information, often with tragic results. While navigation systems such as GPS units can be fine tools, nothing can replace up-to-date information from informed personnel as well as using common sense when out in remote areas. [Eric Scott, Acting District Ranger]
Cape Hatteras NS
Update On “Operation Consent Decree”
On Wednesday, June 4th, another section of the park beach was closed due to a plover hatch. On Thursday, several visitors expressed opposition to this closure. One person deliberately entered the area and was dealt with by law enforcement personnel. Meanwhile, the size of another closed area was expanded due to an oystercatcher hatch. On Friday, June 6th, two people entered a closed area and were contacted by protection rangers. Uniformed personnel were stationed at Ramp 43 during peak visitor use hours over the weekend to prevent intrusions and provide information. A special use permit was granted for a group of 50 people who are opposed to the consent decree for a social event at Ramp 43. There were no incidents. [Dave Lattimore, Incident Commander]
Fire Island NS
Rangers Play Key Role In Apprehension Of Burglars
On May 27th, ranger Jason Flynn investigated a report of a burglary at Water Island, one of the 17 pre-existing communities within the boundaries of the park. A witness provided a description of one the suspected burglars, who was seen fleeing from the isolated community. Flynn joined Suffolk County marine, canine and aviation officers in a search of adjacent island communities and several miles of park lands and apprehended one of several suspects. Interviews conducted by Flynn led to descriptions of more suspects. Aviation officers were then able to locate two of them several miles away from the location of the incident. Rangers Bernie Felix, John Stewart and John Swindle and county officers joined the effort, finding property on the men that linked them to the five burglarized homes. Questioning led to the recovery of stolen property - including cell phones, I-Pods and flat screen televisions - within several other communities and on wooded park lands. The search then extended into Great South Bay and involved Suffolk County police divers. An extensive investigation led to the arrest of three juveniles, who were charged with burglary and arraigned at Suffolk County First District Court. All three pled not guilty. The park has concurrent jurisdiction and often works closely with its local law enforcement partners on Fire Island. [Paula Valentine, Public Affairs Officer]
Curecanti NRA
Man Drowns After Rafting Accident
On Saturday, May 31st, a 57-year-old Denver man began a raft trip from the Riverway picnic area on the Gunnison River with his wife and three children. As they tried to maneuver their raft around an island near Cooper Ranch, it hit the island and flipped over, spilling all five family members into the river. The woman and her three children were able to make it to the island, but her husband was last seen face down and unresponsive in the river. The woman and children were able to swim to shore and notify a passing motorist, who in turn called 911. Rangers responded along with units from the Gunnison County Sheriff's Department, Gunnison Fire Department and Gunnison Valley Hospital EMS. The man's body was found nearly three miles downstream from the point where the raft flipped. CPR was performed until paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead. Neither of the adults was wearing a lifejacket. Record snowpack in the Gunnison Basin and recent warm temperatures have contributed to dangerously high river flows through this section of the park. Ranger Erin Warrem was IC. [John Patmore, Blue Mesa District Ranger]
Natchez Trace Parkway
Two Injured In Serious Bicycling Accident
Park staff responded to a report of a serious bike accident near milepost 404 in Hickman County, Tennessee, on the morning of May 31st. Bicyclists H.H., 72, of Bedford, Texas, and T.M., 59, of Fort Valley, Georgia, were biking together northbound on the Trace when H.H. began a left turn into Jackson Falls. He and T.M. became entangled and both went down. H.H. was knocked unconscious for about a minute. H.H. was flown by Lifeflight to Vanderbilt medical center, where he was admitted into the trauma unit. He suffered a gash to his head, a broken clavicle and 11 broken ribs, all on his left side. T.M. suffered a broken right clavicle and serious road rash on his arms and legs. He was transported by ambulance to Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia. Both riders were wearing helmets, which likely prevented further injury. Terry Kelly is the investigating ranger. This time of the year, the Trace experiences large numbers of bicyclists and biking groups, especially on the northern sections of the parkway. [Allen Etheridge, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:
Hamilton Grange NM - On Saturday, Hamilton Grange National Memorial, the home of founding father Alexander Hamilton, was moved to its new home in St. Nicholas Park. The move of the home is the first phase of the long-anticipated rehabilitation and restoration of the memorial, expected to be completed in the fall of 2009.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6573" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6573
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6574" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6574
Virgin Islands NP - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of park guide Pat Diniso, who died on June 5th following a brief illness.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1948" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1948
Yellowstone NP - Ranger Joe Bueter has been recognized by the Gallatin County DUI task force for making or participating in over 500 DUI arrests since 1991. Over that time, he's not lost a single DUI court case or prosecution.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1949" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1949
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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