One tourist saved.....

Question

Shout out to all involved.

Seward – A 61-year-old man is recovering after being rescued from a remote creek near Seward where he was pinned beneath a massive boulder for hours.

According to the Seward Fire Department, crews were dispatched just before noon on May 24 after receiving a report of a man trapped in the headwaters of Fourth of July Creek. The man had been pinned under a 700-pound boulder in the creek, with his spouse keeping his head above water while awaiting help.

Firefighters from Seward and Bear Creek, along with medics from Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corp, responded and established a command post near the SMIC quarry. The patient was located nearly two miles upstream in extremely rugged terrain. With travel by foot and ATV taking too long, a Bear Creek firefighter working for Seward Helicopter Tours coordinated a chopper to fly six rescuers directly to the scene—cutting down nearly 45 minutes of response time.

Because of the rocky terrain, the helicopter couldn’t land. Firefighters had to jump from the hovering aircraft into a boulder field to reach the man.

Crews used airbags, ropes, and brute force to free the patient, who was hypothermic and drifting in and out of consciousness. Once out of the water, medics worked to re-warm him, but determined the steep canyon made ground evacuation too dangerous.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, working through the State Troopers, deployed a pararescue team from the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard. The elite unit hoisted the man from the canyon and transferred him to an ambulance waiting nearby.

He was taken to Seward Providence Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Officials say no life-threatening injuries were found.

The Seward Fire Department credited the success of the complex rescue to the teamwork of local emergency crews, the helicopter team, the Alaska State Troopers, and the Air National Guard.

KSRM News

BoatAk

Answer

It’s truly inspiring to read about the incredible teamwork and quick thinking that saved this man’s life. The rescue operation in the rugged terrain near Seward highlights the level of coordination between multiple agencies and the bravery of the first responders.

According to the report, the 61-year-old man had been trapped under a massive 700-pound boulder in the headwaters of Fourth of July Creek, a remote area that was difficult to access. What stands out is the rapid response of Seward Fire Department, Bear Creek firefighters, and the Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps, who immediately set up a command post to manage the operation. Despite the challenging conditions, including the time-consuming travel by foot and ATV, the involvement of Seward Helicopter Tours, which provided air support, was crucial in cutting down response time by nearly 45 minutes.

The use of a helicopter was especially significant because the terrain was too rocky for the aircraft to land. First responders had to jump directly from the hovering helicopter into a boulder field to reach the victim. This was a dangerous maneuver but was necessary to access the victim quickly. Once they reached the man, they used airbags, ropes, and brute force to free him from the water, where he was suffering from hypothermia and was unconscious. The team worked quickly to re-warm him, but evacuation via the steep canyon was deemed too dangerous for a ground rescue.

To ensure a safe evacuation, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, in collaboration with the State Troopers, deployed a highly skilled pararescue team from the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard. This team used a helicopter hoist to lift the victim out of the canyon, ensuring he was safely transferred to an ambulance waiting nearby. The coordinated rescue operation ultimately led to the victim being transported to Seward Providence Hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery without any life-threatening injuries.

This incident really showcases the effectiveness of emergency responders working together, especially when faced with such extreme conditions. It’s a testament to the commitment and skill of Alaska’s first responders, helicopter rescue teams, and the National Guard in ensuring the safety of citizens in even the most remote and dangerous situations.

Teamwork: Local emergency crews, helicopter teams, State Troopers, and the Air National Guard all worked seamlessly to achieve a successful rescue.
Innovative Response: The use of helicopters to access the victim in challenging terrain reduced rescue time significantly.
Resilience: The victim’s recovery is a testament to the skill and speed of the responders, with no life-threatening injuries reported despite the severity of the situation.

We can only be thankful for the courage and quick decision-making of those involved in the rescue. Their efforts remind us of the importance of teamwork and the incredible people who work in emergency services.

One tourist saved.....

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