Park County Sheriff’s shared details about a heroic search and rescue effort that took place in the South Fork of the Shoshone River Drainage on the Shoshone Plateau.
Park County Sheriff’s described the rescue below;
On Friday October 9th, 2020 at 3:41 P.M. the Park County Sheriff’s Office Communications Division received an InReach SOS activation from International Emergency Response. A 38-year-old-male hunter had broken his lower leg.
The hunter was located in the South Fork of the Shoshone River Drainage on the Shoshone Plateau. He had slid down a ravine and, in the process, broke his leg and was unable to climb out. Park County Search and Rescue (PCSAR) personnel, assisted by Guardian Medical Helicopter and Sublette County’s Tip-Top helicopter, were able to reach the injured hunter. A team of six PCSAR members were able to stabilize his injury and stay with the injured hunter overnight.
The following morning Tip-Top “short hauled” the victim out of the area and to a waiting Cody Regional Health Ambulance that was staged at the Majo Ranch. The victim was transported to Cody Regional Health.
A “short haul” rescue is a rope affixed to the underside of a helicopter with an attendant. The rope and attendant are lowered to extract the victim, either in a litter or in this case what is referred to as a “screamer suit,” which is a full body harness.
The victim is then transported, attached to the rope, to a more suitable landing zone. Sheriff Scott Steward again wants to express his gratefulness for Park County Search and Rescue. “Being able to get to the victim and then staying overnight with him is a resource that is invaluable to the residents and visitors of Park County.”
The six members that stayed overnight were able to hike out to a landing zone the next morning, after the victim was extracted, and all made it home safely.
