| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hess, Bob | 22 | Male | Fracture | Leg |
A Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) group was on an environmental outing and was visiting an ice cave at Laltonda Wells near Medicine Lake north of Redding, California. Twenty youths had been assisted into the cave when Bob Hess (22), a "recreation leader" made his descent using a different method from the others. Unfortunately, his "rope failed" and he fell 32 feet. This is an isolated site. After the accident, the group contacted the Orr Mountain Lookout by radio. The lookout phoned the Goosenest Ranger Station (USFS) and a fire-fighting tanker and crew were dispatched. The Butte Valley ambulance was also called. The tanker crew included three EMT's who descended to the victim and determined that his injuries wouldn't allow transportation by ambulance over the rough roads. A call was made for the only available helicopter, one operated by the California Division of Forestry, out of Bieber, California. Forest Service and YCC crews meanwhile labored to prepare a landing site. The ambulance arrived and its equipment was helpful in removing Hess from the cave. The litter had to be manuevered over several overhangs on the wall of the pit. Hess was taken to a Klamath Falls, Oregon hospital and treated for a broken leg, internal injuries and shock.
Too little information available for comment. Luckily, it was an organized outing with good communications and resources.
Rope broke. Medivac. Siskiyou County Playlander 10(3) Fall79 p11.
This record was last updated on 29th Apr 2024 at 20:43 UTC.