Hunter rescued after off-road accident

HOUSTON — A man was rescued off the Zero Lake Trail Friday morning and transported by emergency helicopter to Anchorage for treatment.

Houston Fire Department, Willow Ambulance and Willow Fire Department responded to an off-road accident about 10 a.m., Sept. 14 after a caller reported his hunting partner was injured.

The caller said a four-wheeler had rolled over backward with the ATV falling onto the patient and rolling off of him, and that the patient was reporting an injured hand, difficulty breathing and a possible chest injury, according to Houston Fire Department Capt. Christian Hartley.

He said rescuers were able to reach the accident scene more quickly thanks to a four-wheeler donated in 2011 by Jim Lovley of Lovley and Son’s Painting. Hartley said Houston rescuers launched the four-wheeler directly onto the Zero Lake Trail, which is also accessible from behind Houston’s main fire station.

“The rescue effort could have easily taken an hour to reach the patient without that donated four-wheeler,” Hartley said. “It takes teamwork from everyone involved to create a successful rescue. We had two fire departments, three civilian volunteers, and LifeMed Alaska brought a helicopter for the patient extraction.”

Less than 20 minutes later when responders reached the patient, Hartley said it was apparent that the injured man needed to be transported to Anchorage for chest, arm and possible organ injuries.

“The patient had significant injuries, but was stabilized in the field and transported on a backboard by foot for a distance of one-half of a mile to the field where the LifeMed Alaska helicopter had landed,” he said.

Hartley said the men’s response to the emergency is commendable — they called 911 immediately and covered the injured man until rescuers arrived.

“Always travel in groups, and always have phones capable of calling for help,” Hartley said.

He said the men also received assistance from three other hunters in the region who heard about the accident and came to their aid.

“Their willingness to learn first aid and use those skills for a stranger helped save the man’s life,” Hartley said.

The Zero Lake trailheads are becoming increasingly popular for off-road ATV riders, dog mushers and backpackers. The popularity has resulted in grants to construct a parking area capable of holding up to 75 vehicles and an increase in Houston Fire Department’s off-road rescue capability.

Houston Fire Department encourages all riders to know their area, notify people of their intended route, maintain a means of communication, travel in groups and always have first aid and emergency equipment in the event of an emergency, Hartley said.

“These two men did, and it saved a life,” he said.