NC Bear Hunter Rescued Off a Ledge
November 19, 2008
Jeremy Kirkpatrick slid down a 30 foot rock face ending up on a small ledge with a broken leg and weather conditions that were unseasonable cold. Temperatures were in the 20’s as a front moved across the state bringing conditions more common for January and not November.
Jeremy and his girlfriend were navigating their way through the woods in the dark after a day of bear hunting when the accident happened. They were able to reach Jeremy’s mother on a cell phone and she was able to contact 911 for help.
“He’s so upset,” the hunter’s mother can be heard telling a dispatcher in a recording released today. “He’s going to go into shock is what he’s going to do. He was screaming ‘Momma I can’t move and I am cold.’”
Volunteer rescuers from the Jonathan Creek Volunteer Fire Department responded and was able to extricate Jeremy off the rock face.
Fire department Capt. Mike Messer said the rescue operation was technical and dangerous. Rescuers anchored ropes to trees above the ledge where Kirkpatrick landed and dropped down. From there, they swung side-ways along the rock face to reach him.
Then they loaded him into a special basket and lowered it down the other side of the rock face to an ATV. They used the ATV to cross the Pigeon River and get Kirkpatrick to an ambulance.
The operation, from the time his mother called 911 to the time Kirkpatrick left in the ambulance, took about three hours. The temperature was around 20 degrees
A tip of the hat to all the rescue personnel both paid and volunteer that brave the conditions and the dangers to help us in our time of need but especially these guys from Jonathan Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
“This wasn’t some July hiking trip,” said Greg Shuping, Haywood County Emergency Services coordinator, “This was serious. Those volunteers saved his life. This was a heroic effort from the Jonathan Creek Volunteer Fire Department.”
Citizens Times
We are glad to see that this has a happy ending.
Post by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
