Ropes rescue conducted in Big Horns after tree falls on hikers

LOVELL (WNE) — A peaceful stop to admire Porcupine Falls was disrupted Friday afternoon when a tree fell on a group of four recreating in the Big Horn Mountains.

The group of four was sitting near the falls when a large part of a lodgepole pine tree approximately 28 inches around cracked off and fell 10 feet from a creek located above, hitting all four people.

A GPS alert beacon was activated by the group following the accident, allowing Sheriff’s Department dispatchers to pinpoint its location very quickly.

According to North Big Horn Search and Rescue Captain Wes Mangus, two medical helicopters, two ambulances and more than 30 rescuers assisted with the fairly complicated rescue.

Mangus said one male victim suffered severe head trauma and was airlifted from the scene.

The other three victims were taken by ground ambulance to North Big Horn Hospital for treatment of their injuries. A female victim suffered puncture wounds and appeared to have broken bones.

“By the time we set up and got them out, it was a three to four- hour mission,” said Mangus. “It’s one of the more technical rescues we’ve had in a few years.”

Lovell Fire Department Assistant Chief Bob Mangus said it actually took members from four rope rescue teams using two different systems to haul the victims up the fairly steep trail to awaiting medical transportation.

Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn noted that it was nothing short of a “miracle” that every asset was ready and available during such a busy time of the year.

This story was published on July 4, 2024.