SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue returned to Lake Dinah again this weekend to assist a 26-year-old female from Huson, Mont. who was injured after falling off her snowmobile. The injured female was treated on sight for possible hypothermia and, despite the pain, was able to ride her own sled out. She then was taken by personal vehicle to Missoula for treatment.
Around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, the SSSAR were dispatched for an injured snowmobiler at Lake Dinah. According to Missoula County Sheriff Sergeant and Incident Commander Robert Parcell said the woman was riding on the lake with seven others. When she attempted to ride up on the island, she hit a solid bank and was thrown from her snowmobile hard enough that she lost her helmet. Once those in her party realized there was no one on her sled, they found her lying in the snow.
They were able to get her up on the island and build a fire. Due to the cold she was getting hypothermic and the pain was sending her into shock.
Federal Officer Tyler Robinson informed Parcell that Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue vehicles were parked at the Westside Trailhead. Parcell was able to reach the crew that was out training in the area. They rode in to assist.
When Life Flight was unable to fly due to weather, Two Bear Air rescue helicopter was requested out of Kalispell. They were able to get within a few miles of the scene but were unable to land due to visibility.
The SSSAR volunteers arrived at Lake Dinah just after 5 p.m. Parcell said the crew was able to raise her core temperature after she got into the “Doctor Down” bag with one of the members of her party to add body heat.
Because she could not be air-lifted and SSSAR was unable to bring in their rescue toboggan due to the steep terrain, the victim had the option to ride out on her snowmobile, ride out with one of the SSSAR volunteers or she would have to stay the night and hope that the weather cleared enough to get a helicopter in the next day. While she was still in a lot of pain, the SSSAR volunteers bound her torso and she was able to ride out herself.
Everyone arrived at the West Side Trailhead at 7:45 p.m. Once back to the trailhead, she chose not to be transported by ambulance.
Parcell reminds everyone to be careful. He added she was very lucky she did not break her back, or she would have had no choice but to wait until a helicopter could get in to extract her.
“We would like to thank Two Bear Air, as well as Lewis and Clark County Search and Rescue,” wrote the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. “It’s amazing when everyone is willing to lend a hand!! Great work!”
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