SPRINGDALE, Utah, Jan. 26, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Public Safety has given the public a bird’s eye view of a helicopter rescue in Zion National Park.
Shared videos show the search and rescue of two hikers who had been stranded in freezing temperatures for about 24 hours in a remote part of the Park. They were rescued on Saturday due to collaboration between the National Park Service and Utah Department of Public Safety.
“The pair attempted to hike the Subway route from the top down on Friday, January 20, but they did not return as planned,” says a news release issued Thursday by the National Park Service.
“In response, Zion sent rangers up the Kolob Terrace Road to stage a rescue team and to prepare a landing zone for a helicopter from the Utah Department of Public Safety.”
The helicopter crew from the Utah Department of Public Safety used Forward Looking Infrared to locate the hikers. They then lowered a rescue specialist, who assisted the hikers into the hovering helicopter using a hoist, the news release says.
“The Utah Department of Public Safety crew transported the hikers to a waiting National Park Service medical team for care. One hiker was dangerously hypothermic and transported to a hospital. That hiker is now reported in stable condition.”
This rescue could not have happened as quickly as it did without the support of the Utah Department of Public Safety and their St. George-based helicopter.
Chief Pilot Luke Bowman Utah DPS said this is what crews train for.
“Although we cannot train for every scenario, the crew was well prepared for this mission and did an outstanding job evaluating the situation and coming up with a way to overcome the difficulties of this particular rescue.
“We appreciate working with the Rangers at Zion and their professionalism. They always do an excellent job thinking of contingency plans and providing great support to the crew during the missions.”
Zion Chief Park Ranger Daniel Fagergren said he appreciates the partnership with the Utah Department of Public Safety.
“Their execution of this rescue was outstanding. Helicopters are not always available, and, even when they are, conditions don’t always allow them to fly. Winter conditions create an extremely challenging rescue environment.
“Currently, many of our canyons drop to sub-zero temperatures at night, streams and pools are iced over and deep snow covers the trails at higher elevations,” Fagergren said.
“When you visit, you need to understand and be prepared for the conditions you might face here. These kinds of operations are inherently dangerous for our staff and our partners, and they don’t all end like this one.”
Zion National Park’s website urges visitors to plan ahead.
“Use the free resources provided by the National Park Service on our park Website, and the NPS App so that you know before you go,” the statement says.
“When you get to the park, ask a ranger what to expect, and do not take risks that will endanger you or potential rescuers.”
