On September 29th, park personnel responded to a motorcycle crash inside the park on Highway 62 West.  The operator of the motorcycle sustained a dislocated shoulder, broken ankle, and various abrasions and lacerations; the passenger, who sustained a concussion and a spiral femur fracture, was flown to a Medford hospital by Mercy Air.  The next day, close to the scene of the first accident, another motorcycle also crashed on Highway 62 West.  The passenger on this motorcycle also sustained a femur fracture along with a hip fracture, a broken tibia and fibula, and other injuries.  The operator had multiple abrasions but refused care.  The passenger was flown by Mercy Flight to a hospital in Medford.  The operators were each charged with unsafe operation, with speed being a contributing factor in both crashes.  This has been a record year for EMS incidents involving major trauma and illness at Crater Lake National Park.  To date, there have been eight medical evacuation flights with at least five critically ill or injured persons whose lives were likely saved by prompt EMS response, professional care, and rapid transport to area hospitals.

Contact Information
Name: Curt R. Dimmick, Chief Park Ranger