Injured logger medevaced by Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak from Ouzinkie

Courtesy Photo | A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew medevacs a man from Ouzinkie after a tree reportedly fell on him while working on the Ouzinkie runway Nov. 20. Kodiak city firefighers and EMT's received the injured man at the air station and transferred him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. (Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Class Charly Hengen)  

KODIAK, UNITED STATES

11.20.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

KODIAK, Alaska - A logger suffering from a possible back injury and a broken leg was medevaced by the crew of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the village of Ouzinkie on Spruce Island north of Kodiak Island to the Coast Guard base today.

Scott Zimmerman, 25, sustained injuries during a logging operation when the tree he was cutting down reportedly fell on him near the Ouzinkie airport.

Controllers at the Coast Guard Command Center in Juneau received the request for a medevac at 11:33 a.m. The rescue helicopter was launched from Air Station Kodiak at 12:17 p.m. and arrived about 20 minutes later despite snow and poor visibility.

Upon arrival the Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Gerent, hiked out to Zimmerman's location in the forest, about a half mile from the landing site. Zimmerman was already prepared for transport.

"When I arrived he was wrapped up in a litter with a C-coller on," said Gerent. "His co-workers and I had to hike him out of the trees about a half mile along a narrow trail to the helicopter."

Zimmerman was safely delivered to awaiting emergency medical personnel at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak at 1:35 p.m. and taken to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center for treatment.

Zimmerman's hometown is unknown.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2009
• Date Posted: 11.21.2009 21:46
• Story ID: 41879
• Location: KODIAK, US