Weather, terrain and nightfall were some of the challenges emergency crews faced while rescuing a hiker Saturday evening after she dislocated her ankle at Pedernales Fall State Park.
EMS Chief Ben Oakley reported on Saturday August 11 at 6:55 p.m., EMS was dispatched for a female subject with a dislocated ankle at Pedernales Falls State Park. Medic 72 from Blanco along with EMS Chief Oakley responded initially. While responding, additional information was provided that the victim was down in the river’s waterfalls and a rescue would be required.
At this time, an additional ambulance, Medic 32 from Johnson City, responded to assist. Assistance arrived from Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department and Blanco County Sheriff’s Department.
EMS Chief Oakley was the first to arrive. He met with Texas Parks & Wildlife Ranger Lynn Kuenstler who provided details of the challenging situations rescuers were about to face.
The victim was down in the falls, over 100 yards upstream from the access point, on the rocks of Pedernales Falls. At the time, there was light to moderate rainfall at Pedernales Falls State Park, but severe thunderstorms were west, upstream, of the park. These conditions posed significant risks to the rescue.
Chief Oakley reports not only was the terrain muddy, slippery and challenging to work in, but the heavy storms to the west posed a risk of flash flooding to the river the victim was in. Those heavy storms were moving towards Pedernales Falls.
Additionally, nightfall was fast approaching, another challenge to the rescue operation. Rescue Support from Air Medical was requested to expedite the rescue by completing an aerial hoist operation, but the mission was declined due to the severe weather conditions.
Chief Oakley and Ranger Kuenstler hiked down to the patient who was in fair condition, but in a massive amount of pain.
Despite the challenging conditions, Chief Oakley reports a Paramedic was at the patient’s side in the falls in less than 25 minutes from the time of the initial 911 call. The first ambulance crew arrived and quickly began stabilizing the patient while a rescue plan was formulated.
EMS continued to provide IV pain management and stabilized the victim’s injuries, and the victim was secured in a Stokes Basket, a stretcher designed to transport patients through challenging conditions.
Chief Oakley reports that several good Samaritans were passing by and offered to assist rescue crews with the extrication of the victim. Once secured, rescue crews and the good Samaritans carried the victim in the stokes basket an additional 100 yards upstream and exited the river.
As thunderstorms arrived in the area, they continued to carry the victim in the stokes basket through a heavily wooded area. Chief Oakley reports heavy rain, severe lightning and darkness hit all at once. Eventually, crews were able to reach the park trail, which led the way back to the scenic overlook.
At this point, the victim was loaded into the back of a Texas Parks and Wildlife pickup truck, which took the rescuers and victim the remaining 850 yards back to the parking area where ambulances awaited them.
Chief Oakley reports the rescue took a total of 73 minutes to complete. The victim was transferred into the ambulance, where crews continued patient care and transported the victim to a local hospital in stable condition.
