Passport to Texas

Helicopters are necessary in search and rescue missions in the canyons.

Saving an Injured Hiker at Caprock Canyons Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Long, hot hours passed July Fourth Weekend at Caprock Canyons State Park before rescue workers located an injured woman hiker in a remote area of the park. Their UTVs [Utility Task Vehicle or Utility Terrain Vehicle] could take them only so far over the rugged terrain.

Once we could no longer drive, then it was another hour and a half hike to get tot heir location.

Park Superintendent, Donald Beard, says the woman and a male companion had strayed from designated trails. She fell during their hike and broke her leg. Luckily a cell signal was available, and the man called for help.

We had the DPS Troopers. They launched a helicopter from Lubbock, and were able to set down on top of the canyon, above her location.

As night fell, they needed accurate coordination to get her to a hospital for medical care.

Once we did locate her, it was an exercise of high angle rescue, where we had to have a crew that repelled down to her location, strap her into a basket, and then the rest of the crew were able to lift her up to a location. Then they could carry her by foot to where the helicopter was.

When I spoke to Donald Beard, it was only two days after the rescue at Caprock Canyons State Park.

When she left here, even though she had been exposed to high temperatures, and had a broken bone without medical attention for eight to ten hours, she was still alert, and she was coherent and doing well. So, I’m assuming that she’s going to be okay.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.