On Sunday, March 20th at 12:30pm, Cooper Landing Emergency Services (CLES) & Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Department (MPVFD) were dispatched to the area of MP 70 of the Seward Highway for a reported individual with a possible broken back as the result of a snow machine accident. A medic unit from CLES and rescue unit from MPVFD responded to the scene. Upon arrival, the only description of the machiner’s location were GPS coordinates.
We initially had some challenges located the injured person due to a lack of cell reception in the Pass. Attempts were made to contact the reporting party by phone without success. We were very fortunate that fellow snow machiner’s were familiar with the area and were able to direct us to the injured man approximately 1 mile north of the Turnagain Pass Southbound Pull-out.
Clay Adam, Deputy Chief, EMS, Cooper Landing Emergency Services
Once located, the patient was stabilized for a potential back injury, treated for hypothermia, medicated for pain and prepared for transport via sled back to the Turnagain Pass pull-out. Within one hour of arrival, the patient was successfully extracted and transported to a local trauma center in Anchorage where he was last reported in stable condition.
CLES and MPVFD want to thank all of the fellow snow machiner’s for their help to facilitate this rescue. They also want to remind everyone to have a great time out there but practice safely and always travel in pairs. Always travel with avalanche gear and communication devices in the event of an emergency.
