NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
INCIDENTS
Rocky Mountain NP
Searchers Find Two Missing Hikers
A search for two missing women came to a successful conclusion last Thursday morning when searchers found them off trail above Hague Creek and below Mummy Pass in the northwest portion of the park.
On Tuesday, July 21st, a group of five family members and friends hiked to Mirror Lake. While they were hiking back, C.E., 51, and D.H., 26, became separated from the group. They were last seen at 2:30 p.m. just below Mirror Lake, which is approximately six miles from the Corral Creek Trailhead.
When the women failed to appear at the trailhead, one of the members of the party went back up the trail and searched for them until dark. At roughly 8:15 p.m. they called for assistance. This is in a remote area with no cell service and limited radio communication. The call went to Larimer County Search and Rescue, whose members responded to the area later that night. They searched the general area and determined that the point last seen was inside Rocky Mountain National Park, so contacted rangers on Wednesday morning. A joint search was begun.
When the women were found, they were cold and hungry but in good condition. The two women were flown by helicopter to the east side of the park, where they were reunited with family members.
[Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer]
Yellowstone NP
Search Underway For Missing Swimmer
A search is underway for F.“I.”X., a 21-year old man from China. F.X. is a seasonal concessioner employee in the park and was backpacking with four friends last Thursday when he disappeared while swimming in the Yellowstone River near its confluence with Hellroaring Creek in the northern section of the park.
F.X. was in the water with two of his companions around 11:45 am when he was pulled away from the shore by the current of the swiftly flowing river. F.X. was struggling to stay afloat as unsuccessful efforts were made to pull him back to shore. He was swept downriver into a long stretch of rapids before he disappeared from view. A member of the party placed a 911 call to park dispatch at 12:39 pm.
Rangers immediately began responding on horseback and on foot. Responders reached the river and met with the reporting party at 2:44 pm. Initial search efforts Thursday afternoon did not turn up any sign of F.X., who is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Search efforts were increased on Friday; a helicopter, two dog teams, and 20 Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park employees actively searched for him in the Yellowstone River corridor.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of F."I."X. is asked to call Yellowstone National Park at 307-344-2643.
[Public Affairs Office]
Buffalo NR
Five-Year-Old Boy Drowns At Tyler Bend
On the afternoon of July 20th, the park was contacted by Searcy County 911 concerning a possible drowning at the Tyler Bend area. Rescue and medical personnel were dispatched to the area, where CPR was in progress on the five-year-old victim.
The family was just getting settled when the little boy began wading into the shallow water and inadvertently got into deeper water. His inflatable float ring did not keep him above water.
The boy's father pulled him from the water. Several nearby canoeists began CPR until park and medical personnel arrived on scene. CPR was continued for some time but was unsuccessful and the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Personnel from Buffalo National River, Searcy County Sheriff's Office, and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center EMS responded.
[Karen L Bradford, Chief Ranger]
New River Gorge NR
Hyperthermic Mountain Biker Rescued
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 19th, three mountain bikers headed upriver from Cunard on the South Side Junction Trail. The weather was hot and sunny, and humidity was running around sixty percent.
Several miles in, one of the bikers began experiencing leg cramps. He stopped and got off his bike to walk around and ease his cramp when he suddenly passed out. His biking companions used their water to try and cool him down. They attempted to have him drink water, but he refused, so they decided to call 911 for assistance.
Oak Hill Fire Department, Fayetteville Fire Department, Jan Care EMS and rangers responded to the call for help. Rescuers accessed the patient via the South Side Junction Trail from the Brooklyn campground. UTVs were used for the first several miles; responders then hiked the rest of the way. Paramedics treated the man for heat-related conditions and the he was evacuated by foot and UTV to the awaiting ambulance. He was expected to make a full recovery.
[Jeff West, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's webpage editions of InsideNPS (available to NPS employees only) and the Morning Report (available to all readers):
Pacific West Region - On May 30th, Nez Perce National Historical Park opened the Nuunimnix Art Show at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph, Oregon. The show is the centerpiece of the park's 50th anniversary celebration.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP - In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Chattanooga, the suriving Marines of Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment visited Chickamauga Battlefield in an effort to begin the slow but painful healing process.
Office of Communications - The National Park Service announced the award of more than $1.5 million in NAGPRA repatriation and consultation grants to 15 Native American tribes and 16 museums.
Learning and Development Division - The Learning & Development Program has presented the 2015 Crystal Owl Award for Learning & Development Excellence to Blaise Davi, Charlie Pepper and Lisa Sasser.
To see the full text of these stories, readers should go to one or the other of the following sites:
NPS employees - HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index
Non-NPS employees - HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/morningreport/" http://www.nps.gov/morningreport/
The Morning Report is produced by the Office of Communications with the support of the Office of the Associate Director for Information Resources. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov).
--- ### ---