Rescue 911, Part 4

Actually I am not sure which part number this should be....I have lost track of how many rescues we have taken part in. But today was a record day, we did 2 separate rescues!

The first occurred on the way to Yosemite at about 11 am and was by far the most severe....we turned a corner on an icy highway to see a car that had just rolled over and gone off the road. We pulled over, got out our emergency kit and ran back to the scene. I took a look at the people involved in the crash while Jim went out to light flares. While standing there a couple more cars almost spun out.

Two people were in the car, that was now laying on its roof, with the windows smashed out. Both had gotten out of the car. It was a Dad and his teenage daughter. The man was bleeding from a cut on his hand and his head. The girl had one cut on the bridge of the nose that was not bleeding, however by the time we left the scene, her whole eye area was swollen and black and blue. I helped that man with supplies to stop the bleeding on his hand and advised them to move off the side of road for fear that another car would slide out into us.

No one could get any cell service to call for help so a passing car drove to the Yosemite entrance gate (about 4 miles away) and sent two rangers back. Once the rangers showed up, we moved on our way. We left with hopes that the two in the car accident would agree to receiving medical care because while we were there they were not interested in an ambulance, but they were in shock and not thinking clearly.

Then at the end of the day, when we were sledding, a young man approached us and asked if we could notify the ranger station on our way out that they were stranded. Apparently the man's young son put the end of a pen in the ignition of the car and broke it off. This left them unable to start the car!

So we went to the gas station in the area and had them call the ranger and advise them of the situation. We went back and told the man (and his young family) that the rangers were on the way. We checked that they had some food, water and enough warm clothing and headed home --hoping we weren't going to happen along someone else in need of assistance.

All in a days adventure!