Another Helicopter Rescue in GTNP

Grand Teton National Park rangers rescued North Carolina man yesterday afternoon after he slipped and tumbled 20 feet on rocky terrain and sustained facial and lower leg injuries.  23-year-old Paul Danes of Raleigh, North Carolina had been scrambling alone and off trail near the mouth of Hanging Canyon when the accident occurred at about 12:30 pm.  Other hikers who were in the Hanging Canyon area heard Danes’cries for help and responded;  providing basic care for his injuries and summoning help on their cell phone.  Based upon the relatively close location of the accident to the Jenny Lake west shore trail, rangers planned to evacuate Danes by a wheeled-litter handled by four rescuers.  However, once they reached Danes, rangers determined that a helicopter short-haul evacuation was warranted because of Danes’ injuries and the rough and rocky terrain over which the wheeled-litter would have to be hauled. Danes was airlifted to a waiting ambulance and transported to St. John’s Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.  Danes is a seasonal concession employee in Yellowstone National Park.