White Sands |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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March 20, 1987 Location: Main Dunes Area A park ranger at White Sands came across a group of about 85 students on spring break from the University of Texas (El Paso) who were partying in the park's main dune area. One of the students - a juvenile - was observed to be drunk and disorderly; the ranger called for backup, then arrested and transported the student to the park's ranger station. In doing so, it was necessary to leave one Park Service vehicle behind. Upon returning to the scene, the ranger found that the students had vandalized the vehicle, slashed its tires and were about to turn it over. The state police and local sheriff's office were called for assistance, but the crowd had largely dissipated by the time they arrived. One vehicle departed the scene at a high rate of speed and hit a vehicle with four park visitors in it. All four were seriously injured. The driver of the first vehicle and his passengers suffered minor injuries. An investigation is currently being conducted; a supplemental report will follow.
Location: Main Dunes Area Synopsis of first report: A park ranger came across a party at White Sands. One juvenile was arrested, a Park Service vehicle was vandalized, and one youth leaving the party hit a car and injured four visitors to the park. Mrs. M.W., one of the persons injured in the accident, died late on the night of April 9th. The other persons in the vehicle are reported to be doing well. Mr. J.J.R., the driver of the car that hit the M.W. vehicle, has been charged with perilous operation of a motor vehicle, driving without a valid operator's license, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and driving while intoxicated (his blood alcohol test came back at .12, and .10 is considered legally intoxicated in New Mexico). Charges of negligent manslaughter are being investigated. Park ranger David Evans is handling the entire investigation. A board of review met on the incident and has found that, under the circumstances, the rangers acted appropriately. They recommended that the park prepare more adequately for these annual spring "busts", that the chief ranger be commissioned, that rangers be deputized locally, that the park revise it's SOP's for handling juveniles, and that the staff and superintendent develop a consensus approach to resolving law enforcement problems.
Over Labor Day weekend, a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill was passed at the park's fee kiosk. The bill was of good enough quality to escape detection by the fee collector, the depositor and the bank teller, and was ultimately "discovered" by a machine at the bank. The park is contacting local law enforcement authorities to apprise them of this incident. (CompuServe message from Phil Young, RAD/SWRO).
Spring breaks for southern New Mexico and west Texas schools began March 7th and will continue through April 9th. Since the 7th, over 40,000 visitors, including a very high percentage of high school and college students and airmen from nearby Holloman AFB, have descended on the park. The peak day occurred on March 24th, when an estimated 300 young people from El Paso arrived for a day of serious drinking. The park had to request the assistance of state police, county deputies and Border Patrol agents to quell a dangerous situation which developed when rangers attempted to enforce alcohol regulations and investigate a related hit-and-run accident. The park's two law enforcement rangers and chief ranger have also issued 56 violations for alcohol-related and traffic violations; investigated a wide range of incidents, including two firearms incidents, theft of government property, vandalism and suspicious person; conducted two SAR operations and two medical evacuations; evacuated over 5,000 visitors from the park during a missile launch; and assisted White Sands Missile Range in locating and recovering missile debris. The park is now gearing up for Easter weekend, when 25,000 visitors a day normally visit the park, and the "Day in the Sand" event on April 25th. [WHSA, 3/29]
On April 2nd, K.M. hiked into the dunes around noon to join a companion. When she failed to show up and did not return at dusk, the park was notified and a search was begun. K.M. was wearing shorts, a tank top and a cap, but was barefoot. The search ended just after midnight when a very sore-footed K.M. walked into Ratscat, a secure military facility on the White Sands missile range about eight miles north of the point last seen. K.M. was detained by military security for extensive debriefings and was not released to rangers until 2:30 a.m. K.M. said that she became disoriented in the dunes and wandered until she saw the lights of the Ratscat facility. [Robert Appling, WHSA, 4/8]
On Sunday, April 25th, the annual "Days in the Sand" beach party, which is sponsored by a local radio station and nightspot, was held in the park. An area on the Loop Road in the heart of the dunes was blocked off for a remote radio station, volleyball courts and the display of vehicles from a low- riders mini-truck club and a drag car club. Free soft drinks, water and hot dogs were provided. Large caravans of cars began entering the park at 8 a.m. to stake-out viewing areas on the dunes near the event. By 10 a.m., traffic into the park and dune area was heavy, and the associated congestion resulted in many unsafe vehicle operation violations. The unexpectedly good weather led to larger crowds than originally anticipated; many alcohol and driving violations could not be cited due to insufficient law enforcement personnel (three rangers and four sheriff's office reserve deputies). Two dozen citations were issued for a variety of violations, including minor possession of alcohol and unsafe operation. About 6,000 people attended the event. [K. Lee, WHSA, 5/3]
Around 7:30 p.m. on May 9th, the park was notified that two men - G.R. and B.L., both in their mid-20s - had hiked into the dunes and had not returned. They were wearing only shorts and had neither shoes nor water. The weather during the night was clear, with temperatures in the upper 30s and light winds. Adjacent agencies were notified, and attraction efforts were conducted until a half hour past midnight. Search efforts were then suspended until 5:30 a.m. the following morning. The New Mexico state police began searching for the pair with ground searchers and two military helicopters. Just before 11 a.m., G.R. and B.L. walked into RATSCAT, a secure military facility on the White Sands missile range north of the park. They said that they'd walked southwest for about an hour after entering the dunes, then walked north for two hours, missing the Heart of the Dunes drive. During the night, they dug a pit, placed brush around it to break the wind, and started a small fire to keep warm. They spotted the RATSCAT facility at daybreak and walked to it. The RATSCAT staff provided food and water and treated both men's cut and sore feet. Other than being very tired, both men were in good condition. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 5/12]
Just before noon on May 27th, the park received a report that 15-year-old J.T. was missing. J.T. was barefoot and wearing a T-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap; she had no water, and was overdue for medication for hyperactivity, without which she was subject to increased disorientation and agitation. J.T. had last been seen heading north into the Heart of the Sands. A search was begun within minutes. J.T. was spotted about a mile and a half north of the picnic area, but soon disappeared. Rangers found numerous tracks and followed them north; by 2 p.m., however, they could no longer track her, and summoned a helicopter. Rangers on board the Army helicopter which responded searched the northeast section of the park and found J.T. just before 3 p.m. She was found approximately three miles north of her last seen location, but had walked an estimated eight to ten miles in an attempt to return to her group. She was very thirsty, disoriented and confused, but otherwise in good condition. Ranger Kathy Lee administered medications and calmed J.T. down until she was transported back by helicopter. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 5/27]
G.L. and P.C., both 19, became lost while looking for their dog around 9:30 p.m. on July 14th. A patrol ranger found their car parked with the doors open, the key in the ignition and money lying on the front seat. A search was begun on the morning of the 15th, but searchers were unable to find any tracks because of the rain which fell overnight. While conducting the search, the park received notification from Holloman Air Force Base that the two young men had wandered into a secure area and were being held pending a ranger's arrival. Both men were tired but otherwise in good condition. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 7/15]
On September 18th and 19th, portions of the White Sands/Alamogordo hot air balloon festival were held in the park. An event known as a "Moon Glow" was held on Saturday evening. By 8 p.m., over 8,000 visitors had arrived in the park, and a three-mile-long line of cars was waiting to enter. The event had to be canceled, however, due to strong winds blowing the tethered balloons over. It took about three hours to clear the area of the 2,000+ vehicles parked there. A dawn ascent by over 40 balloons on Sunday morning drew several thousand visitors. All balloons ascended without incident, but landed on U.S. Highway 70 on the park's southern boundary, blocking all four lanes intermittently for over two hours. Two teenagers who were part of a balloon crew followed the balloons into the dunes, but failed to return to the staging area. A search was begun; the teenagers walked out two hours later. The entire event was managed under ICS. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 9/20]
A military contract helicopter made a hard landing within the park near Lake Lucero around 6 p.m. on September 28th. The helicopter's crew was in the process of retrieving an item that had landed within the park when the incident occurred. The helicopter's downdraft inflated the object's parachute, which was then sucked into the main and tail rotors. Neither the pilot nor his two passengers - one of whom was ranger Fred Harmon - were hurt, but did have to make a three-hour moonlit walk to get to a highway. The helicopter could not be flown out because of the damage inflicted on its tail section and rotors. At the time of the report, mechanics were checking it to see if it could be repaired for a short flight to a nearby road or whether it will have to be lifted out. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 10/1]
On March 12th, M.H. of Fort Worth, Texas, became disoriented during a sand storm while hiking in the park and became lost. M.H. had planned his visit to the park to coincide with the passage of a major frontal system in order to photograph the dunes and clouds. He left his vehicle at 2 p.m. and hiked several miles into the dunes. When the front passed, blowing sand obscured the surrounding mountains, and M.H. became disoriented. A search was begun when rangers closing the park found M.H.'s vehicle but were unable to find him. Due to rapidly falling temperatures, high winds, and winter storm warnings, limited efforts were continued throughout the night. M.H. eventually walked out to a highway west of the park visitor center, where he was found by a passing county deputy at 3:30 a.m. M.H. was in very good condition considering what he'd been through. It's estimated that he'd walked over 20 miles in blowing sand with north winds between 25 and 35 mph and temperatures near freezing. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 3/13]
Due to weather disturbances along most of the path of Tuesday's annular solar eclipse and the high altitude and desert climate of the park, White Sands found itself hosting over 300 astronomers, who set up telescopes, cameras and video recorders at the visitor center and in the dunes. A local astronomy club provided a live feed to a video projector for visitor viewing. Astronomers from Belgium, England, Canada, Mexico and from throughout the United Sates visited White Sands for the event. [Bob Appling, CR, WHSA, 5/11]
On July 17th, the park received an advisory to be on the lookout for a black Jeep Cherokee with two juveniles on board - a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year- old boy - who were believed to be heading to the park from east Texas. The Jeep had been taken without permission from the boy's father, and the girl was entered in NCIC as a runaway. The next day, ranger Maijala spotted and attempted to stop a Jeep matching that description which was speeding on a park road. The driver of the Jeep refused to stop, however, and a chase ensued which reached speeds of 90 to 100 mph. Pursuing rangers Maijala and Denton relayed information ahead to Las Cruces and state police and broke off the chase. About 45 minutes and 50 miles later, a Las Cruces officer stopped the Jeep, which was doing 81 mph in a 55 mph zone. The Jeep bore phony license plates, but the runaway's identity was confirmed through NCIC. The 17-year- old, an adult under Texas law, was charged with speeding and fictitious tag violations by Las Cruces officers and with reckless driving by rangers. The girl was held in detention until her parents could fly from east Texas the next day to pick her up. The driver and Jeep were held until the boy's parents could arrive. The girl's parents, having just returned from a family vacation in California, were convinced that the romantically involved youths were trying to return to California. [Kathy Denton, Acting CR, WHSA]
Two hikers taking sunset photographs in the park failed to return to the vehicle by park closing time on the evening of December 5th. Ranger Kathy Denton, assisted by resident volunteers, began a search for the two men. After tracking them for two-and-a-half hours, it became apparent that they were heading away from the road and into a remote, roadless desert. Winds were increasing, and temperatures dropped to a low of 37 degrees. Ranger Barry Maijala joined the search and coordinated patrols of the park's perimeters with military police from the adjacent base. The two men appeared to be heading towards an area known to be littered with unexploded military ordnance. Maijala located the two hikers just after 10 p.m. as they were crossing the park boundary into that area. One of the men wore hiking shorts; both were dressed lightly, with no water, food or extra clothing. Although they were in good condition and unharmed, they were extremely thirsty and tired. The two men had carried a tripod and heavy camera gear through 13 miles of soft sand after becoming disoriented and discovering that their compass was malfunctioning. They were still five miles from the nearest installation when they were found. The hikers were in good physical condition and travelled faster than average, which contributed to the urgency of the search. [Kathy Denton/Barry Maijala, WHSA]
On the morning of Sunday, July 6th, members of a group that had camped illegally in the park the previous night reported that one of their number - N.W., 19 - was missing. He'd last been seen asking directions to the road. Since afternoon temperatures were in the mid-90s, the park sought assistance from the 48th Rescue Squadron at Holloman AFB. Ranger Jonathan Brotzman worked from the helicopter, while ranger Paul Jones and a Border Patrol agent followed N.W.'s windblown tracks. They found that he had abandoned his guitar, shoes and a backpack containing a water bottle. N.W. was found in the early evening and transported to a hospital for medical attention. He was given seven bags of intravenous fluids at the hospital as treatment for severe dehydration and sun exposure. [Nancy Wizner, CR, WHSA, 7/7]
A Lance missile being tested on the nearby White Sands Missile Range went awry and crashed in a remote area of the park earlier this week. The liquid-fueled missile, which is about 20 feet long and three feet wide, was travelling at supersonic speed when it struck and buried itself at an undetermined depth in an alkali flat. A crater about 25 feet in diameter resulted and quickly filled with water due to the high water table. Hazardous materials are present. Park and Army personnel are working on mitigation and compliance efforts. [Intermountain Morning Line, 12/22]
On August 21st, ranger Garry Olson was notified of an overdue hiker in the Alkali Flats area. Ranger Greg Kouns and facility manager John Ford also responded. N.R., 18, of Alpharetta, Georgia, had not been seen for five hours. The temperature at the time was 97 degrees, and N.R. reportedly had only a quart of water with her. The area was searched by foot and ATV, but no sign of her was detected. An Army helicopter from White Sands Missile Range picked up Olson and began an air search. N.R. was spotted about six miles from the trailhead, walking toward the lights of a military facility outside of the park. She was moderately dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition. [Cliff Spencer, IC/CR, WHSA, 8/22]
On the evening of May 5th, park visitors told ranger Joel Barnett that they'd come upon what appeared to be a dead man on the top of a dune south of the Alkali Flats trailhead. Upon arrival, Barnett found the body of a 22-year-old Florida man. He had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; a 12-gauge shotgun was found at his feet. Investigation led to the discovery that the man had been depressed and had been reported missing two days previously by his roommate, who had found a suicide note. A second suicide note was found in his nearby vehicle. The investigation is being handled by chief ranger Cliff Spencer and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. [Cliff Spencer, CR, WHSA, 5/6]
An errant missile landed within the park's cooperative use area, which is closed to visitors, around 8 a.m. on the morning of August 2nd. The point of impact was about 15 miles from the main visitor area. The park was under a scheduled closure at the time of the accident, so there was never any danger to visitors or staff. The missile was a drone used for targeting missions and contained a hydrazine propellant. It veered off its intended course, so was given a self-destruct order by controllers. The impact left a six-foot diameter crater in the ground. A hazmat crew from White Sands Missile Range flew to the crater on August 2nd to take air and water samples and assess the site. Test results are expected shortly. Cleanup and rehabilitation of the site will be coordinated with the military and the state's department of the environment. [Cliff Spencer, CR, WHSA]
While closing the park on September 9, a ranger found a rental car in an area closed to camping. He searched the area for more than two hours, but was not able to find the driver. Subsequent investigation revealed that the car had been rented to K.F., a 29-year-old Japanese citizen. A more intensive search was begun the next day, employing helicopters from the nearby White Sands Missile Range and ground searchers skilled in sign-cutting techniques. No sign of the visitor was found. Search operations continued until Saturday, September 14, at which point they were suspended for lack of clues. Search managers utilized dog teams, a Customs airplane equipped with an infrared camera, helicopters, ATV's, mounted riders, six three-person ground teams, members of the New Mexico state police SAR team, and 45 airmen from Holloman AFB. K.F.'s parents and sister were flown to the U.S. by their son's employer, Sumikin Bussan International Corporation, but have since returned to Tokyo. The vehicle has been impounded and is being processed for clues. A missing persons report has been posted on NCIC. [Submitted by Cliff Spencer, Chief Ranger, White Sands NM]
On Saturday, September 21, two hikers discovered the body of a man tentatively identified as that of K.F., 29, a Japanese citizen who became lost in the park on September 9 or 10. He was found just over a mile southeast of Dunes Drive and nearly two miles south of his vehicle and the primary search area. The state medical investigator will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death and verify his identity. A fanny pack with various documents in K.F.'s name was found nearby. There was no evidence of foul play in the area where his remains were found. [Submitted by Cliff Spencer, Chief Ranger, White Sands NM]
On February 11, an unmanned QF-4 drone crashed inside the park. The
drone, which is an F-4 fighter jet modified for remote flight, crashed
nine miles from headquarters in a remote section of the park. There were
no injuries. The aircraft was on final approach to Holloman AFB when it
suddenly veered right and sharply down. The drone was being used as a
target for missile systems being tested on White Sands Missile Range.
Several motorists observed the crash from US Highway 70, and at least
one videotaped the aftermath. The videotape was acquired by Air Force
personnel, but will be returned to its owner following analysis. Ranger
Garry Olson and cultural resource specialist Diane White were flown to
the scene aboard an Army helicopter to assess the wreckage. It appears
that the explosives package aboard the jet detonated prior to impact, as
is supposed to occur when controllers lose contact with the plane.
Cleanup of the site will begin once the area is declared safe and the
investigation is completed. A joint investigation will be conducted by
Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range.
Two park visitors came upon what appeared to be a suspicious object
beneath a bush in the dune area on the afternoon of August 3rd. They
reported their find to rangers Joel Barnett and Jill Jaworski, who found
the object and determined that it was a pipe with end caps. They
immediately cleared the area and notified an explosive ordnance disposal
team from Fort Bliss. The EOD team rendered the device safe. It was
found to contain an explosive charge and shrapnel. ATF agents and
rangers are investigating. No suspects or motives have yet been
identified.
Record-breaking rainfall has flooded much of the white sands dune field. Two miles of the scenic eight-mile Dunes Drive are underwater and closed to vehicular traffic. The park's picnic areas, nature center and backcountry trails are in the flooded area and are also temporarily closed. The flooding began with 9 inches of rain in August, which is more than double the park's previous record for monthly rainfall. More rain in September and October expanded the flooded area, with as much as 16 inches of standing water on roads and parking areas. Because the dune field is at the bottom of a basin, the water cannot drain away. Only evaporation will remove the water, and, with cooler fall and winter temperatures, parts of the dune field will likely remain flooded for many weeks. Assuming no more rain exacerbates the problem, the park will reopen parts of the road and picnic areas as they dry up. [John Mangimeli, Chief of Interpretation]
A 23-year old woman from Sheldon, Iowa, died yesterday while hiking the Alkali Flat Trail. E.H. was hiking with a friend when she began experiencing symptoms of distress. E.H.'s friend quickly hiked back to the trailhead to retrieve additional water and ice from their car and called 911 from her cell phone around 1 p.m. When the friend returned to the scene, she found E.H. unconscious and began CPR. Upon receiving the 911 call, rangers hike about a half mile to her location on the trail and continued CPR. Paramedics from Alamo West Volunteer Fire Department also responded and provided assistance, but were unable to revive her. The Alkali Flat Trail is a five-mile loop trail traversing the park's dunes. The high temperature yesterday was near 100 degrees. Hikers are advised to be prepared for extreme temperatures and bring at least one gallon of water per person, sunglasses, sunscreen, and high energy snacks. Rangers are investigating the incident. The cause of death is being investigated by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. [Becky Wiles, Chief of Interpretation]
Early on the morning of August 15th, rangers received a report of two hikers who had been lost within the sand dunes overnight. They had planned on camping overnight on Sunday, but became disoriented while returning to their backcountry camp site. The park and Alamo West Volunteer Search and Rescue began search operations under a unified command, with Holloman Air Force Base providing an HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UAV" unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to help with the search effort. With the help of the UAV, rangers were able to narrow the search area to within a quarter mile of where the lost hikers were eventually found. An Army air search and rescue unit out of White Sands Missile Range provided additional air support and spotted the lost hikers just after 11 a.m. The pair, who had been lost for over 12 hours, were found in the dune field more than eight miles from where they had left their car. Both were treated for dehydration and transported to Gerald Champion Hospital in Alamogordo. The park's military and community partners frequently provide critical air support for rescue operations, which greatly helps the success of rescue operations in the difficult terrain. [Joe Hughes, Acting Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of Monday, January 9th, the park learned that two visitors who had been hiking within the dunes since noon were lost and unable to find their way out. R.V. and K.R., both of Oklahoma, left to go hiking with their three dogs, Stitch, Suzy, and Griswald. After finding a suitably beautiful spot within the dunes, R.V. proposed to K.R. The newly engaged couple than attempted to hike back to their car, but were unable to find their way back. Rather than continue to wander becoming more lost, they contacted a cousin via cell phone and requested that help be sent. An interagency effort was begun that involved the NPS, the Alamo West Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Army. While two Army Rescue Blackhawk helicopters were en route from Fort Bliss, approximately an hour away, Holloman Air Force base diverted an F-22 Raptor from a training mission to the search effort. The pilot of the Raptor was able to positively identify the couple with their three dogs. Two Air Force drones were also tasked, which were able to relay specific coordinates and monitor the lost hiker's location and movement from the air while the Army helicopters were en route. The hikers and their dogs were transported by the Army Blackhawks out of the dunes to the command post, where they were examined by NPS and Alamo West EMS for exposure to the below freezing nighttime temperatures. K.R. accepted R.V.'s marriage proposal. The newly engaged couple invited the Blackhawk crew to the wedding. The search effort was greatly aided by the assistance of the military aircraft, which utilized night vision and infrared equipment to safely locate the hikers after nightfall. Ranger Kelly Roche acted as IC. [Becky Wiles, Acting Superintendent]
An autistic teenager was found by the crew of an Air Force Blackhawk helicopter on Monday morning after a 15-hour search. The search was begun for the 15-year-old boy around dusk on Sunday after he wandered away from his family during a visit to the park. Over 100 searchers were involved in the all-night operation, which was managed under a unified command and involved the NPS, Air Force, Army, Border Patrol, New Mexico Search and Rescue, New Mexico State Police, and Alamo West Volunteer Fire and Rescue. The incident began when members of an extended family group from El Paso who had spent the afternoon sledding and picnicking in the park realized that the teen was not with them. They searched for him for about an hour before contacting rangers, who conducted an unsuccessful hasty search of the area. The search was quickly expanded and given high priority due to the teen's autism, impending darkness, and weather. Canine units, ATV searchers, aircraft, and ground personnel were deployed during the night. At first light, additional resources were utilized to expand the operation, including three helicopters (two from the Border Patrol and a Blackhawk helicopter from Kirtland AFB) and several canine units (teams from Holloman AFB, New Mexico Search and Rescue, and the Border Patrol). Ground searchers, all-terrain vehicles, and equestrian teams from all previously listed agencies also supported this complex search and rescue operation. At 10:15 am, personnel in the Blackhawk spotted the teenager walking in the dunes about six miles from the point where he'd last been seen. He was found to be in good health and spirits. The boy was flown to the command post and reunited with his family. The missing teen was excited to have a helicopter ride and asked one of the Blackhawk crewmen for his patch. The crewman ripped the patch off his shoulder and handed it to the rescued teen. The teen's family was extremely grateful and thanked everyone who was involved with bringing their son home. [Becky Wiles, Acting Superintendent]
On Sunday, June 24th, rangers responded to a 911 report of two hikers suffering from heat exhaustion at milepost three on the Alkali Flat Loop Trail. A father, 66, and his daughter, 22, left to hike the Alkali Flat Loop at approximately 8:30 a.m.; just before noon, they made the 911 call, reporting that they were completely out of water and unable to complete their hike. Rangers, Alamo West Volunteer Fire and Rescue personnel, and paramedics responded immediately. Ranger Joe Salvini hiked quickly up the trail to the hikers. Ranger Joshua Wright also responded with additional water and cooling aids. Alamo West responded with paramedics utilizing their EMS UTV from the opposite direction at the trailhead. When Salvini reached milepost three, he was unable to find the lost hikers, who had climbed to the top of a dune. While Salvini was searching the immediate area for them, the father called again and reported that his daughter was having difficulty breathing. Salvini located them and began EMS treatment. Wright, after climbing to the top of a large dune, was able to visually locate Salvini and the hikers. He then ran three miles cross country to cut the loop and actually arrived on scene before the paramedics driving the UTV. The paramedics provided advanced life support. The hikers were transported back to their vehicle, where they declined further treatment. Kelly Roche was IC. [Becky Wiles, Chief of Interpretation]
Park staff, supported by personnel from other agencies, were involved in two rescues earlier this week - one on Sunday and the other on Monday. On the afternoon of Sunday, April 29th, Otero County dispatch received a report of a park visitor with a back injury who was in need of help. The 32-year-old woman was walking down a sand dune when she tripped and fell, rolled down the dune, and landed on a section of hard-packed playa. Rangers Luke Hayden, Ryan Moore and Kelly Roche responded and provided EMS care until Alamo West EMS and American Medical Response (AMR) arrived with paramedics and took over. AMR transported the woman to a local hospital, where she received additional care and later was transported to an El Paso, Texas, hospital for treatment of a dislocated hip. On the following afternoon, Otero County dispatch received a 911 call from a 25-year-old hiker who was lost in the dunes. He'd left his vehicle around 10 a.m. and hiked about 14 miles barefoot. He said that he hiked cross country when he realized he was lost and out of water and provided coordinates from his smart phone's GPS application. Rangers and Alamo West SAR personnel responded to the coordinates that were provided, but found no sign of the lost hiker, He was contacted again by cell phone. Using the hiker's description of the unique vegetation and distant structures he could see, David Bustos, the park's chief of resources, was able to hone in on the location and find the hiker's footprints. He was located about eight miles from his car in the parabolic dunes along the monument's remote northern boundary. He was treated in the field for blisters and transported by UTV back to the command post, where he was assessed and released. The search was managed under a unified command with NPS and Alamo West SAR. The park, which has limited staff, expressed its appreciation for the support received through their partnerships with Alamo West, American Medical Response, Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range. [Kelly Roche, Park Ranger]
An unmanned QF-4 drone from Holloman Air Force Base crashed in the park on the morning of Friday, February 7th. No one was injured. QF-4 drones are converted F-4 Phantom fighter jets. Dunes Drive was closed while staff from the base and from White Sands Missile Range conducted an investigation at the crash site. Access to the sand dunes, picnic areas and hiking trails was restricted until the investigation and cleanup could be concluded. The park routinely supports missile tests conducted by White Sands Missile Range. It is common practice to close Dunes Drive as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety during missile tests when flight paths include airspace over the monument. The closure of Dunes Drive before last Friday's missile test ensured that no injuries resulted from this accident. For a related newspaper article, click on HYPERLINK "http://www.alamogordonews.com/alamogordo-news/ci_25090073/unmanned-qf-4-drone-crashed-friday" this link. [Becky Wiles Burghart, Chief of Interpretation]
Two visitors from France died Tuesday afternoon while hiking the Alkali Flat Trail in White Sands National Monument. A minor child in the group was found alive, rescued by monument and local emergency personnel, and treated for heat exposure. Park rangers discovered the three French nationals while on routine trail patrol approximately 1.5 miles from the Alkali Flat trailhead. The body of the woman was found about 5:30 p.m. and the man's body and surviving boy about half an hour later. The daytime high temperature in the monument Tuesday reached 101 degrees F. The deaths are being investigated by the Otero County (NM) Sheriff's Office. French authorities were immediately notified and are assisting in the case. [Becky Wiles Burghart, Chief of Interpretation]
Arizona Central — On December 24th, hundreds of unauthorized visitors climbed a dune-covered fence to gain access to White Sands NM, officially off limits because of the shutdown. Numerous cars were seen parked along the perimeter of the monument where the dunes come closest to the road near the visitor center. Although fencing separates the monument from the highway, families could be seen on the other side of the fence playing on the dunes, taking selfies and riding sleds. Source: Arizona Central.
A 70-year-old German visitor who died on the Alkali Flat Trail on June 8th likely succumbed to heat exposure. The park received a call for help around 4 p.m. that day. Responding rangers found the body of Peter Cramer less than a mile from the trailhead. New Mexico State Police officers assisted rangers and are working with them on the investigation into the cause of his death. Rangers at White Sands say Saturday's temperatures reached 99 degrees. Cramer and his wife were hiking the trail together, but she opted to return to their car because of the heat. When he failed to return, she notified the park. In 2015, a French couple visiting the park died along the trail in extreme heat. Their nine-year-old son survived and was able to call for help. Sources: Andra Litton, KRQE News; Kayla Melson, KRQE News.
The New Mexico group Cowboys for Trump is facing criticism after members brought iconic gypsum sands from the park to the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington, a violation of federal law. The group brought four "big plastic bins" of the sand to the event. The group's leader said in a video posted to Facebook that the Cowboys for Trump were bringing "some of the most beautiful treasure out of New Mexico" to Washington. Removing natural resources from a park is of course illegal without specific permission. The illegal taking of resources from within the national monument is a Class B misdemeanor punishable with a $5,000 fine or six months in jail. Source: Associated Press via KNAU News.
The vehicle of 63-year-old J.M. was found late on the evening of July 4. National Park Service staff searched all night without finding evidence of the hiker. The following morning, several local LE, EMS, and SAR teams, as well as Border Patrol and Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad responded, and the team was able to find the victim's footprints. They tracked the prints until they found him deceased. Investigation is underway, and foul play is not suspected. Source: Alamogordo Daily News, Associated Press July 13, 2022 A 27 year-old was found deceased off-trail in the park by a search and rescue team. Foul play is not suspected. The cause of death was not announced, but park officials did warn about the dangers of hiking in extreme temperatures. Source: WTMJ, White Sands National Park
On April 30, a U.S. Air Force F-16 jet crashed "in the area" of the park. The pilot successfully ejected from the jet and was taken to a hospital for medical care. They are said to be in "good condition" and were released from the hospital the same day. They were the only person in the plane. The park has been closed to the public past mile marker 3 since the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and no reopening date has been announced. Source: El Paso Times | |