While driving back to the park from Ely, Nevada, on the afternoon of October 22nd, off-duty chief ranger and EMT Tammie Henderson came upon an overturned tractor trailer on Highway 50 north of the park’s boundary. The wreck had not been reported due to lack of cell phone service in the area. The truck compartment had been crushed, and the interior had completely enveloped and pinned the driver to the point where he was not visible or accessible. The truck’s fuel lines had ruptured and the crash scene was soaked in fuel, which was still draining from the truck’s tanks.  Henderson dispatched a bystander to drive to an area with cell service and summon assistance. She was able to make voice contact with the driver, gained entry through the rear window of the sleeping compartment, squirmed into the wreckage, and gained access to the driver’s head and one arm. She was able to apply oxygen to the driver, direct pressure to a bleeding head wound, and begin a limited patient assessment. Bystanders were enlisted to plug the ruptured fuel line and shovel dirt onto the pools of fuel under the wreckage. Emergency response in the area was delayed due to remoteness. The Snake Valley Volunteer Fire Department, whose responding members included several NPS employees, arrived with the Baker ambulance approximately an hour later. Park maintenance mechanic Brian Morrison directed the complicated extrication using Jaws of Life and impact tools. The Ely Fire Department also responded and assisted. The extrication took almost two hours. Due to high winds, the medical transport helicopter could not land in the area; the driver was therefore transported by ambulance to the Ely hospital. His condition at the time of the report is unknown.

Contact Information
Name: Tammie Henderson, Chief Ranger