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Courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park
Contact: Kyle Patterson, (970) 586-1363 Contact: General Park Information, (970) 586-1206 Yesterday morning, a 40-year-old woman from Tennessee fell into the St. Vrain River approximately one mile from the Wild Basin trailhead. She slipped on wet rocks and was swept 150 yards downstream before she was able to pull herself up on a rock and log. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members were on scene at 10:30. Members of Estes Valley Fire Protection District – Dive and Swiftwater Rescue Team played a critical role in this rescue operation.Crews on scene got the woman a life jacket and helmet. Crew members hiked to her location on the south side of the St. Vrain River and helped move her to shore. She received medical care on scene. Crews then assisted her across the river, back to the north side, at a suitable location where there were downed logs. She began hiking out and then was carried via a wheeled litter to the Wild Basin Trailhead. She was taken by ambulance to the Estes Park Medical Center at 4 p.m. Mountain streams can be dangerous. Visitors are reminded to remain back from the banks of streams and rivers. Rocks at streamside and in the stream are often slippery and water beneath them may be deep and will be extremely cold. Provide proper supervision for children at all times, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water. Powerful currents can quickly pull a person underwater. |
Last updated: July 6, 2017