A 24-year-old Florida man relaxing in a hammock near Surprise Lake in Grand Teton National Park Wednesday was rudely disturbed when the tree to which his hammock was attached uprooted and fell, hitting the man on the head and spilling him onto a large rock below. The man, identified as Preston Reidy, was knocked unconscious in the incident. Park Spokesperson Denise Germann says Reidy and a companion had been day-hiking to the lake and had stopped to rest and enjoy their surroundings. Another day-hiker became aware of the accident and hiked to where he could call for help from his cell phone at about 3:45 pm. Germann says he reported the Reidy as having suffered a seizure. Being off-season, the park has no helicopter on contract, and Teton County Search and Rescue was called to assist the park with their helicopter and a two-man short-haul team. Search and Rescue Advisor Cody Lockhart says the team responded to Lupine Meadows where park rangers served as incident command. Reidy was short-hauled attended by one of the Teton County team to a waiting ambulance which transported him to St. John’s Medical Center. The second rescue team member hiked back out with Reidy’s companion. Germann praised the great working relationship the park has with Teton County Search and Rescue when situations like this arise.
- National Elk Refuge February 2026 Biological Update: Mild Winter Persists in Jackson Hole - February 9, 2026
- Wyoming Game and Fish Hosts Workshops on Elk Feedground Management Action Plans - February 9, 2026
- Jackson Town Council Considers Unmet Housing Grant Application for S4 Flats on January 20th - January 20, 2026