A Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter air crew based out of
Washington's Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) helped to
save a fallen climber on Mount Baker October 21.
According to a US Navy release, the victim -- a San Juan Island,
WA resident -- was climbing on Coleman Glacier October 20 when he
slipped and fell into a 65-70 foot crevasse at approximately 4:00
pm. His climbing partner lowered himself into the crevasse,
administered basic first aid and placed the victim on a pad and
inside a sleeping bag before climbing out of the crevasse and
seeking help.
Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council (BMRC), a volunteer group of
mountain SAR specialists, ascended Mount Baker and reached the
victim on the glacier. The victim had suffered multiple fractures
and lacerations.
BMRC spent the night keeping the victim warm and making
preparations to hoist the victim out of the crevasse to the surface
of the glacier... which is, of course, where the helicopter comes
in.
NASWI's Sikorsky MH-60S
Knighthawk helicopter launched at 9:30 am October 21 to assist the
BMRC team with the rescue. The crew, aircraft commander, Cmdr. Mark
Nowicki, co-pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Vorenkamp, crew chief, Aviation
Systems Warfare Operator 1st Class James Barrailler, rescue
swimmer, Senior Chief Aviation Systems Warfare Operator Phillip
Meyers and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Greg Highfill, staged the
helicopter in a landing zone at Mount Baker Vista after
establishing communications with BMRC on the radio.
BMRC determined that bringing the helicopter over the scene with
personnel down in the crevasse could be hazardous to the victim and
rescuers due to overhanging ice and an unstable ice shelf. The SAR
crew remained nearby until BMRC had extricated the injured climber
and rescue team members from the crevasse.
At 11:35 am, the helicopter crew received the call from BMRC to
proceed to the landing zone for pick up. The aircraft launched from
the vista and proceeded the two miles to the glacier. After
establishing the helicopter in a hover over the scene, Highfill
donned his crampons and was lowered to the team via the helicopter
rescue hoist.
"After I got to the surface of the glacier, I found the terrain
to be extremely steep and treacherous and the patient in bad
shape," said Highfill.
Within 10 minutes, the climber was secured in the litter and
ready for pickup. Highfill and the climber were then hoisted into
the safety of the cabin and began the transit to Harborview Medical
Center in Seattle for further treatment.
Well done, guys.
(Aero-News salutes Lt. Cmdr. Todd Vorenkamp, Naval Air
Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue Public Affairs)