Update: I am very sorry to report that a member of TCSAR, Ray Shriver, has died as a result of this accident. It is another tragic loss to the Jackson Hole and SAR community. Thanks to the Jackson Hole News and Guide for keeping us informed during this very unfortunate event. My condolences go out to friends and family. -Steve
This event is unfolding as we speak and I ask everyone to keep all the members of Teton Country Search and Rescue in their thoughts tonight. A TCSAR helicopter was responding to a snowmobile accident (where the victim subsequently died from their injuries) when it crashed south of Togwotee Pass. I have heard there were three people on the helicopter (including the pilot) when it went down. I have also heard a few names mentioned, but will hold that information until it is deemed okay to release it. There are a variety of injuries, with one being potentially quite serious. The following is the timeline of events as being reported by Jackson Hole News and Guide.
Based on early reports, Teton County Sheriff Jim Whalen said there were injuries in the helicopter crash, but no fatalities.“I know we have some injuries, they’re going to be OK,†Whalen said. “I don’t know where they’re at with getting them out of the mountains at this point.â€The rear rotor on the helicopter may have failed, the sheriff reported.
4:50 p.m. – A second helicopter is flying to the scene of a search and rescue helicopter crash on Togwotee Pass, Grand Teton National Park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said.
“Somewhere we found a second ship,†Skaggs said. “It sounds like there should be a second helicopter on the wayâ€
“We’re helping rescue the rescuers.â€
St. John’s Medical Center was notified Wednesday afternoon that it “may be receiving injuries from a helicopter incident,†hospital spokeswoman Karen Connelly said.
Park rangers, ambulance and EMS personnel are staging on the pass. Snowmobiles were being prepared to “get to the injured people,†Skaggs said.
5 p.m. – One member of the search and rescue team may have sustained serious injuries in a helicopter crash on Togwotee Pass, Teton County Sheriff Jim Whalen said.
“One of them could be injured worse than what we thought, initially,†Whalen said. “I think there are people at the crash site now and they’re packaging them up. I’m pretty worried.â€
County staff has been in radio contact with the three search and rescue volunteers who were in the helicopter when it crashed, Teton County spokeswoman Charlotte Reynolds said. She did not have any specific information about their injuries.
“The helicopter has been located and identified,†she said Wednesday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m. “Right now we’re preparing to get them out.â€
Reynolds said rescue crews were using snowmobiles and at least one helicopter to get to the downed aircraft.
Reynolds did not disclose the names of those involved in the crash but did say their families are being notified.
“At this point we’re still trying to gather information,†she said.
Reynolds said search and rescue crews were responding to a call about an injured snowmobiler.
Search and rescue volunteers were called out on rescue at approximately 2 p.m.
5:24 p.m. – Two helicopters are helping with the rescue effort on Togwotee Pass, a Teton County spokeswoman said.
The helicopters are responding to the crash of a search and rescue helicopter earlier this afternoon. The helicopter that crashed was carrying a pilot and two search and rescue team members, county spokeswoman Charlotte Reynolds said.
One helicopter is from Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, and the other is from Helicopter Express, a heli-skiing company with a location in Jackson.
The crash site is 6.7 miles due south of Togwotee Mountain Lodge, the spokeswoman said.
The helicopter from the Jackson-based company is carrying Grand Teton National Park rangers with medical training, Reynolds said.
The rescue crews had arrived at the crash site but had not yet moved the three individuals from the scene, Reynolds said.
She said she was unsure where they would be transported.
5:41 p.m. – A Helicopter from the crash scene is landing at a staging area at Togwotee Pass, a News&Guide reporter at the scene observed.
Rescue workers are setting up a tent at the incident command post near Togwotee Mountain Lodge as the rescue of search and rescue members from a helicopter crash nearby continues.
Approximately 10 vehicles are in a pullout about a quarter of a mile west of the lodge. Rescuers are setting up a command center and perhaps another shelter among three ambulances and a parked helicopter. Vehicles from Grand Teton National Park, the U.S. Forest Service, Teton County Sheriff’s office and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS also are at the site.
Personnel are hooking up generators in what looks like an operation that is preparing to receive injured.
5:45 p.m. – A person being helped out of a helicopter by search and rescue team members at a staging area at Togwotee Pass is limping badly, a reporter at the scene observed.
Helpers are cradling him to an ambulance
He is conscious, but can’t walk on his own.
6:06 p.m. – Rescue workers are carrying a second victim from a second helicopter flight that landed at the staging area on Togwotee Pass.
They cradled and carried the victim straight to an ambulance with worry on their faces, a reporter at the scene observed.
A Fremont County ambulance carrying the first victim brought out by helicopter left the scene headed toward Jackson.
6:35 p.m. – The third of three rescuers involved in a helicopter crash on Togwotee Pass rode out on a snowmobile, a reporter observed.
He was riding behind a driver and was hoisted onto a backboard in a seated position at a highway staging area. He was conscious and could sit up on his own.
He was talking and smiling a little.
Just before he arrived at the staging area, a Grand Teton national Park ambulance left the staging area with the second victim, headed toward Jackson.
7:52 p.m. – A Teton County Search and Rescue team member was killed in the helicopter crash on Togwotee Pass, Teton County Coroner Kiley Campell said. Campbell was witholding the name pending notification of family.
Damn it. I hope they are ok
yes, d…i think we all do. i think the most seriously injured is a longtime local, as well as a veteran and integral member of the SAR community.
My heart and soul are aching….
This community lost a great and valuable member today. He will be sorely missed.
i am speechless. what an unfortunate event. so very, very sad.
My prayers to all involved.
I have a hole in my heart…so so sad! Can’t comprehend why this can happen to such a great person.
So sorry. Thoughts and prays going out to the family and community. The world loss a real hero.
This is terrible news ! Thoughts and prayers go to all involved and connected to this incident. I can’t explain my sadness……..
The SAR team are in my thoughts and prayers in sacrifice and efforts to help others.
RIP Ray Shriver. I just saw you last week and updated your beacon. It was great talking about the Taylor Mountain event and like many, you remained some what neutral in your opinion. I respected you greatly and you will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go to your family amd friends.
“And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.”
Kita missed you too much to be without you and Pako will see you again. I love you, your quirky laugh and your pragmatic ways. I will miss Ray.
So sad to hear this news. We have have lost another great person, but he will certainly not be forgotten. RIP
29 years in this valley, you might think a person would get “used to this” the Whole situation is a Tragedy/Success – I do not know what else I can say…. except… (GOD) BLESS Search and Rescue – THANK YOU GUYS for being there (p.s. I was raised as a SKI PATROLLER – ’nuff said)
this video shows ray in his element as a member of wyoming K9 SAR.
Oh man what a bummer. RIP Ray. We all need to think twice before we call for a rescue.
Ray was one of the most patient and competent SAR people I have ever known.
My heart is heavy.
May the Great Spirit always have you on belay my friend.
Was the call to SAR related to a fatality on the snowmobile? I was a bit confused on one report. It sounded like one of the snowmobilers had also been killed and that led to the call.
yes one snowmobiler died, from minnesota. his buddies called before he dies, i am assuming. i hear he got caught underneath his snowmobile and suffocated, but am not 100%sure. sad day for everyone.
Very sad news. Condolences to all family and friends. Thoughts and prayers for all SAR teams that put their lives on the line.
Rest in peace brother. Thank you for all those years of service to your fellow mankind.
Don’t stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
When you awake in morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of silent birds on winged flight
I am the soft starlight at night
Don’t stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
Don’t stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die
Rest in peace Ray
THanks for sharing that video Randosteve.
Good blessing to his family, friends, TCSAR, and the community
Our community has suffered another loss with Rays death. How many people, in future need, will suffer without his presence? While details are missing now, I would bet that Ken Johnson’s skill was essential in bringing anyone home alive. Thanks to search and rescue for being there and thanks in particular to Ken, who knows the risks more than anyone, and keeps on flying to help those of us who need a rescue! Our condolences to Ray’s family- He is a hero we will never forget.
I am from Colorado. I had a dream last night of a helicopter crash in the snow, then I woke up to this story. I am sorry to hear of this loss. I believe such a respected person is in a far better place today. Condolences to all those he leaves behind.
i have a buddy who was first on scene and was there through the entire event of the carnage. i guess SAR took off after the accident with THEIR deceased in tow (RIP RAY) but left the deceased snowmobiler behind. another snowmobiler had to ratchet him DOWN TO HIS SNOWMOBILE AND DRAG HIM OUT. unnaceptable SAR. we are very thankful for all you do, but come on! let’s have respect for the deceased!!!
jerry…i’m not sure what to make of your comment.
i was lead to believe the call-out for TCSAR was for a deceased snowmobiler. i don’t have a problem with SAR evacuating a person that had just passed, vs. someone that had been dead for an hour or more already.
i’m sure TCSAR would have come back to recover the body of the snowmobiler once Ray was out.
I wasn’t there though…so really, i don’t know.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family and his team. Although sad times, memories of Ray and his past operations and input into SAR will serve as a living memorial to him.
Our sincere heartfelt condolences to the family and the team. All of us with the Indiana Air Search and Rescue are always mindful of the dangers that are always present. We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers.