Post by madratdan on Aug 25, 2005 7:26:24 GMT -5
Four-hour cave rescue successful
ARMANDO RIOS
Bulletin Staff Writer
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A Big Flat man was in good condition Friday after being rescued late Thursday night from a cave in Stone County near 56.
Jerry Elsner was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center after his rescue.
The Stone County Sheriff's Department was called out around 3:30 p.m. Thursday on a report that a man needed help in the Alexander Cave in the 56 area, in the northwest corner of the county near the Baxter County line.
Stone County Deputy Jimmy Carter said Elsner and a friend were exploring a cave when Elsner started having chest pains.
According to an Air Evac Lifeteam, which also responded, the friend hiked out of the cave and went for help.
Agencies responding in addition to the Stone County Sheriff's Department and Air Evac Lifeteam air ambulance service were the Timbo Volunteer Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Department rescue, Calico Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Vital Link Ambulance and area residents who were familiar with the cave, Carter said.
They included about 14 firefighters trained in cave rescue. They were able to get Elsner out shortly after 11 p.m.
Rescuers had to rappel about 25 feet down and hike approximately one-half mile back into the cave to get to Elsner and bring him out, Carter said. He described the terrain as wet, muddy and tough.
After they brought him out of the cave, they had to carry Elsner one-quarter to one-half mile to the road, where he was transported by Air Evac to BRMC.
It took plenty of cooperation and hard work from everybody, Carter said.
According to Air Evac, Elsner fell ill about 2:15 p.m. while deep inside Alexander Cave. The victim's location created access problems. Rescuers had to remove him by Stokes basket for a quarter-mile through the cave system, which took more than four hours and included crossing two underground bodies of water, which came up to their waists.
Rescuers then had to move Elsner vertically 25 to 30 feet up through a narrow crevice to a 2-by-4 foot cave mouth in a harness lifted on a rope rigging system, according to an Air Evac spokeswoman.
Paramedics were with Elsner the entire time monitoring his condition.
As rescuers ascended, other responders on ropes guided them through the narrow sections and between jagged rock edges.
Then they had to take Elsner down a steep mountainside to the nearby dirt road, according to Air Evac. Rescue workers ended up placing the Stokes basket on the ground while workers slid the patient down the mountainside and scooted along beside it.
Elsner then was taken to a nearby field, loaded into the helicopter and flown to the hospital.
"The entire incident went smoothly despite the time involvement, thanks to the coordination of Fire Chief Foye Eddings and fire instructor Glen Crimes," said Air Evac Lifeteam Flight Nurse Randy Ates.
"Firefighters and first responders from several different departments in Izard and Stone counties answered the plea for additional manpower and hiked to the site. Area cave explorers also responded and provided much-needed equipment and expertise. Along with Vital Link EMS and the Stone County Sheriff's Office, the entire operation took around 35 people."
armandor@baxterbulletin.com
ARMANDO RIOS
Bulletin Staff Writer
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A Big Flat man was in good condition Friday after being rescued late Thursday night from a cave in Stone County near 56.
Jerry Elsner was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center after his rescue.
The Stone County Sheriff's Department was called out around 3:30 p.m. Thursday on a report that a man needed help in the Alexander Cave in the 56 area, in the northwest corner of the county near the Baxter County line.
Stone County Deputy Jimmy Carter said Elsner and a friend were exploring a cave when Elsner started having chest pains.
According to an Air Evac Lifeteam, which also responded, the friend hiked out of the cave and went for help.
Agencies responding in addition to the Stone County Sheriff's Department and Air Evac Lifeteam air ambulance service were the Timbo Volunteer Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Department rescue, Calico Rock Volunteer Fire Department, Vital Link Ambulance and area residents who were familiar with the cave, Carter said.
They included about 14 firefighters trained in cave rescue. They were able to get Elsner out shortly after 11 p.m.
Rescuers had to rappel about 25 feet down and hike approximately one-half mile back into the cave to get to Elsner and bring him out, Carter said. He described the terrain as wet, muddy and tough.
After they brought him out of the cave, they had to carry Elsner one-quarter to one-half mile to the road, where he was transported by Air Evac to BRMC.
It took plenty of cooperation and hard work from everybody, Carter said.
According to Air Evac, Elsner fell ill about 2:15 p.m. while deep inside Alexander Cave. The victim's location created access problems. Rescuers had to remove him by Stokes basket for a quarter-mile through the cave system, which took more than four hours and included crossing two underground bodies of water, which came up to their waists.
Rescuers then had to move Elsner vertically 25 to 30 feet up through a narrow crevice to a 2-by-4 foot cave mouth in a harness lifted on a rope rigging system, according to an Air Evac spokeswoman.
Paramedics were with Elsner the entire time monitoring his condition.
As rescuers ascended, other responders on ropes guided them through the narrow sections and between jagged rock edges.
Then they had to take Elsner down a steep mountainside to the nearby dirt road, according to Air Evac. Rescue workers ended up placing the Stokes basket on the ground while workers slid the patient down the mountainside and scooted along beside it.
Elsner then was taken to a nearby field, loaded into the helicopter and flown to the hospital.
"The entire incident went smoothly despite the time involvement, thanks to the coordination of Fire Chief Foye Eddings and fire instructor Glen Crimes," said Air Evac Lifeteam Flight Nurse Randy Ates.
"Firefighters and first responders from several different departments in Izard and Stone counties answered the plea for additional manpower and hiked to the site. Area cave explorers also responded and provided much-needed equipment and expertise. Along with Vital Link EMS and the Stone County Sheriff's Office, the entire operation took around 35 people."
armandor@baxterbulletin.com
