Incidents:Helicopter evacuation at Big Creek Falls
From ropewiki.com
Helicopter evacuation at Big Creek Falls | |
---|---|
Date | 2018/09/30 |
Location | Big_Creek_(South_Cascades) |
Severity | Injury |
Canyoneering-related | Yes |
SAR involvement | Yes |
Navigation problem | No |
Environmental problem | No |
Communication problem | No |
Planning problem | No |
Skills problem | No |
Body movement problem | No |
Rigging problem | No |
Rappel problem | Yes |
Insufficient gear | No |
Gear failure | No |
Summary
John F. Johnson, a 72 year-old man from Washougal, WA, fell 15-20 feet onto rocks after rappelling off the end of his rope during the first rappel of Big Creek Falls. Another party activated EMS by cell phone at around 9:30 a.m. At 11:50 a.m, the Skamania County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from USCG Sector Columbia River. The Coast Guard dispatched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, which arrived at 12:55 p.m. but was unable to hoist Johnson. Volcano Rescue Team members subsequently used a rope system to raise Johnson to the top of the falls. Johnson was then transported to Pine Creek Ranger Station where a Life Flight helicopter flew him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, OR.