Visitor Fatality at Paradise on Mount Rainier

Date: July 5, 2012
Contact: Patti Wold, 360-569-6563

On July 4, 2012, a visitor was intentionally sliding down a slope in a controlled manner with his son in the Edith Creek area of the Paradise meadows.While sliding he broke through a snow crust over the creek and fell below the surface of the snow.He was swept about 30' down the creek, underneath the snow.His son immediately went for assistance at Paradise.A Rainier Mountaineering Incorporated group training in the area responded and was first on scene.They located the individual in the water with his face submerged.A complex rescue operation ensued involving RMI guides and National Park Service rangers after risk assessments were conducted.They were able to extract the man, and start CPR.An ALS air ambulance was called in to fly the man to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Staff and RMI Guides successfully and safely executed a highly complex rescue that was time critical, and hazardous, with specific attention to managing risks to all rescuers throughout the entire operation.