Time and time again, I saw park rangers demonstrate acts of bravery and heroism as they responded to law enforcement incidents, provided emergency medical assistance, conducted search and rescue missions, and fought structural and wildland fire.
It was a humbling experience to serve alongside these caring, courageous, and dedicated professionals.
I also want to acknowledge and thank spouses and families for their love and support of the men and women who provide safety and security for the park’s visitors and its resources.
Wednesday, July 19, 1998
98-410 – Yellowstone NP (WY) – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Three Lives Saved
On the evening of July 19th, ranger Dino Nicholau came upon an RV parked in the Sand Point picnic area along Yellowstone Lake. The engine was turned off, but a generator was running in the left rear quarter section of the vehicle. All windows and doors were shut tight, with the exception of a two- inch gap in the left rear quarter panel window located directly above the generator. Nicholau was able to see a hand in the vehicle while looking through a rear window. When several knocks on the side door went unanswered, Nicholau entered the vehicle. He was immediately aware of heat and strong fumes. He saw E.R., 60, of Columbia, Mississippi, lying unconscious and face down in her own vomit. He carried her from the RV and returned to find two other unconscious victims, her five-year-old granddaughter, S.R., and her husband C.R., 68. Nicholau was able to carry the granddaughter to safety, then summoned another visitor to help him carry out C.R. All three victims were exhibiting severe signs of carbon monoxide poisoning from fumes that had entered through the rear window. S.R. was most critical, having been closest to the window. Additional rangers were on scene within minutes of Nicholau’s call for assistance. An incident command system was established and emergency rescue operations were begun in an attempt to revive the three. All three were taken to Lake hospital, then flown to a hospital in Billings, Montana. Both adults have since been discharged from the hospital; S.R. is also expected to recover fully and should be discharged in two days. Over 20 NPS personnel, three ambulances, a helicopter, and an aircraft were utilized during the incident. Investigation revealed that the three had been sleeping in the RV for approximately two hours before Nicholau discovered them. The generator was on in order to run the vehicle’s air conditioning. Attending physicians confirmed that all three would have died within minutes if they had not been removed from the RV. [Keith McAuliffe, Shift Supervisor, Lake Area, YELL, 7/20]
A Ranger's Journal 