Rescuers carry out injured boy after fall in Lost Valley near Buffalo River

March 23, 2012|edited news release from National Parks Service

PONCA, Ark. -- Late Friday morning, a boy from the Little Rock area was reported by visitors as lying unconscious in a stream in the Natural Bridge area in Lost Valley, where he had evidently fallen 15 to 20 feet while exploring off trail. The Newton County Sheriff’s Department was notified via 911 and, in turn, contacted the park’s Midwest Region Ozark Communication Center in Harrison.

Buffalo National River Search and Rescue (BUFFSAR) was at the time conducting high angle rescue training at Kyles Landing approximately 30 minutes away from Lost Valley and immediately rushed there. The Newton County Sheriff's Department also notified the ambulance service from NorthArk Medical Center in Harrison, and it arrived at the Lost Valley parking area at about 12:38, the same time that the first National Park Service rangers reached the victim.

Initial reports indicated head and shoulder injuries and hypothermia. After stabilization the patient was transported via wheeled litter and ATV at 1.50 p.m. to the waiting ambulance. BUFFSAR were staged along the trail to facilitate transfer.

Although initially unable to fly due to weather, an Airevac helicopter was dispatched from Harrison at about 1:50, arriving at a pullout on Arkansas 43 at about 2:08. At 2:17, the patient was transferred from the ATV to the ambulance for transport to the helicopter and flown to a hospital in Fayetteville.

In addition to the NPS BUFFSAR team, NorthArk Ambulance, Airevac Helicopter, rescuers included representatives from the Jasper Fire Department, Ponca Volunteer Fire Department, Lost Valley Canoe Rental, the United States Forest Service, and Boxley Valley resident Paul Villines. Thirty-six responders were involved.

Villines has a farm near Lost Valley and has repeatedly assisted the park with rescue efforts, often using his ATV to transport injured visitors down the trail.

As always, visitors are reminded to exercise care at all times to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to the park. In October 2011, a similar accident involving two adults and wet leaves took place further up the Lost Valley trail and resulted in serious injury. Falling is always a possibility
whether the conditions are icy, muddy, mossy, or leaf-covered.

Buffalo National River’s dispatch office is staffed 24/7 and can be reached at 888-692-1162 to report accidents or unsafe conditions. In addition to Buffalo National River, the Midwest Regional Ozark Communication Center also serves Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Pea Ridge National Military Park, and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.

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