Rescue Operation For Injured Man Near Lake Haiyaha

Rescue of injured man above Lake Haiyaha
Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members perform a low angle scree evacuation of injured man above Lake Haiyaha.

Rocky Mountain National Park

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News Release Date: August 16, 2016

Contact: Kyle Patterson, (970) 586-1363

Yesterday afternoon, park staff were notified that a 45 year old man suffered a leg injury roughly 1,000 feet above Lake Haiyaha. He was scrambling on rocks, fell in a deep hole and a boulder pinned his leg.  He was hiking with two other people who were able to move the boulder to free his leg. The injuries he sustained prevented him from walking.

Park rangers reached him late afternoon. Two park rangers, including a paramedic, stayed with the man overnight.  This morning, members of Rocky Mountain National Park's Search and Rescue team began a low angle scree evacuation.  After the teams evacuated the man down through the rocks and boulders he was transported via inflatable raft across Lake Haiyaha. Teams then brought him down the trail with a wheeled litter.  He reached the trailhead at 3:30 p.m. and was taken by ambulance to Estes Park Medical Center. 

Rocky Mountain National Park's Search and Rescue team members were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue and Rocky Mountain Rescue members. Thirty personnel were in the field for this rescue operation. The man is a U.S. Citizen currently living in Paris, France.  



Last updated: August 17, 2016

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1000 US Hwy 36
Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone:

970 586-1206
The Information Office is open year-round: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily in summer; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturdays - Sundays in winter. Recorded Trail Ridge Road status: (970) 586-1222.

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