Gallatin Media Center

PRESS RELEASE

Emigrant Peak Rescue

On July 16, 2022, at 4:24 p.m., Gallatin County dispatch received a call from a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy seeking assistance from Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue for a rescue on Emigrant Peak.  The patient was in a group of hikers that were 800’ from the summit of Emigrant Peak.  The patient was having respiratory issues with heat related complications.  The other hikers were unsuccessful in trying to descend with the patient and needed professional assistance.   Due to the medical condition, and time it would take to perform a ground-based rescue, it was determined a short haul would be the most expedient means of getting the patient to a higher level of care.

 

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Heli Team and Comms Team volunteers, along with a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office deputy, responded to the call. The Comms Team and GCSO deputy provided mission support and liaised with Park County.  The Heli Team deployed from Gallatin County to a landing zone near Emigrant Peak staffed with a Park County Sheriff’s Office deputy and Livingston Fire and Rescue personnel.  After a reconnaissance flight, the team located the patient and was lowered to perform a medical assessment.  The team stabilized and packaged the patient and then short hauled them to the landing zone.  The patient was turned over to awaiting medical personnel.

 

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to recognize the Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and Park County deputies, and medical responders that assisted in this mission.  Through teamwork, and clear communication, teams from two different counties were able to work together to provide aid to a citizen in need.

 

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 15, 2022, at 11:33 A.M., Gallatin County dispatch received a call for a mountain biker who crashed while riding the trails in Leverich Canyon. The mountain biker sustained injuries to their head, shoulder, and leg.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Valley Section volunteers, along with members of Hyalite Fire and AMR, deployed to Leverich Canyon. The patient was located 1.5 miles from the trailhead.  Teams performed a medical assessment, stabilized the patient, and then transported to the trailhead. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health for further medical evaluation.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank all responders for executing this rescue so professionally and seamlessly as well as the citizens in the area that gave the rescuers space and consideration to perform their duties safely.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

 

On July 15, 2022, at 11:35 am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a call for an injured hiker on Ousel Falls Trail in Big Sky.  The hiker sustained an ankle injury and needed assistance getting back to the trailhead.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Big Sky Section responded to the Ousel Falls Trailhead and deployed a team with rescue equipment on the trail.  The team met the patient half way between Ousel Falls and the Ousel Falls parking lot.  A one-wheeled litter was utilized to transport the patient back to the Ousel Falls parking lot.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that even a nice afternoon hike may not go as planned so be sure to take a means of communication, hike with a friend, and take layers for changing weather conditions.

PRESS RELEASE

Beehive Basin Rescue

On July 13, 2022, at 2:43 pm, Gallatin County dispatchreceived a call from hikers that needed assistance getting out of Beehive Basin. One hiker in the group became tired, weak and nauseous and was unable to continue without professional assistance.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue Big Sky Section and Valley Section volunteers responded to the call, made their way to the ill hiker, conducted a medical assessmentand provided a ride out to the trailhead. Big Sky Fire was standing by to provide medical assistance as needed.  All team members and the hiking group arrived at the trailhead just as severe lightening, hail and a rainstormbegan.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to commend the hikers for having a means of communication, recognizing that they needed help early on and having extra water and food. It is always good to have the above items and to be prepared for the variable extremes that can occur in our beautiful backcountry.

This missing Newell children in the Belgrade area have been located.  Thank you to everyone who was looking for them.

PRESS RELEASE

Madison River Search

On June 30, 2022, at 9:00pm, Gallatin County dispatch received a call for two paddle boarders that were overdue from the Madison River near Greycliff Fishing Access.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the lower Madison River and deployed a water search team. The Drone Team was utilized to canvas the river, while deputies, searched the banks and roads along the river.  Montana Highway Patrol troopers and Fish Wildlife and Parks officers also assisted in the search.

Ultimately, the paddle boarders made their way off the river and toward Madison Road, where a passing motorist picked them up. Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue members met the paddle boarders and determined no medical assistance was required.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationalists that even a nice afternoon float may not go as planned so take plenty of water, sun screen, and check in and out with someone when going on the river.  Lastly, please take a means of communication as it can resolve an undesirable situation quickly.

PRESS RELEASE

Bozeman Creek Trail Rescue

On June 30, 2022, at 10:59 am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of a bicycle crash several miles up Bozeman Creek Trail. The patient had multiple injuries, difficulty breathing, and was in severe pain.

Hyalite Fire Department and Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded with ground teams to make contact with the patient. The joint team located the patient and conducted an assessment, after which the patient was packaged and transported to the trailhead.  At the trailhead, the patient was turned over to a Central Valley Fire Department Advanced Life Support Ambulance crew and transported to Bozeman Health where they received further treatment.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind recreationists to equip properly for the activity, to bring a companion or let someone know your adventure plans, and to prepare for the unexpected.

PRESS RELEASE

M PARAGLIDER RESCUE

On June 29, 2022, at 9:16am, Gallatin County Dispatch received a report of a paragliding accident at the M Trailhead.  The paraglider caught a gust of wind and lost control of one wing, resulting in a hard crash just below the “M.”  The patient had multiple injuries and was in severe pain.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue responded with a ground team to make contact with the patient. Due to the nature of the injuries the Heli Team was utilized to conduct a “short haul” from the crash location to an AMR ambulance at the trailhead parking lot.  

The patient was successfully packaged and ultimately transported to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital where they received further treatment for their injuries.  

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind you to always have a safety plan in the case of an emergency.  In this incident, the paraglider was with other paragliders and friends who witnessed the accident and called 911 for help, leading to a swift and successful rescue.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.

PRESS RELEASE

Great One Skier Rescue

On June 26, 2022 at 12:55pm, Gallatin County 911 received a call for an injured skier on the Great One couloir in the Bridger Range. As a group of skiers made their way down the slope, one hit a hard, icy, patch of snow. The skier lost control and fell about 100ft down the slope and was eventually stopped by another member of the party. The individual sustained injuries to their head, neck, hands and legs.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section and Heli Team responded to the area, along with American Medical Response (AMR), and Bridger Canyon Fire Department. With coordinates from the 911 call, the Heli Team flew a shorthaul team to the area, while a ground team made their way to the patient from the Fairy Lake Trailhead.   The patient was shorthauled to the awaiting ambulance, where they were ultimately taken to Bozeman Health for further evaluation. Ground teams made contact with the other parties to ensure the person who helped stop the initial patient was ok.  After a patient evaluation, the teams walked the remaining group back to the trailhead and provided transportation to their vehicles.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind everyone recreating in the mountains to always travel in groups, in case someone is injured. It is also a good idea to have plenty of food, water, communication devices, and medical supplies in case of an emergency. If you are skiing during this time of year, be prepared to have changing snow conditions in different areas on the mountain.

Photos courtesy of Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office.