Boy Scouts survive rafting crash on North Fork

Posted 6/24/16

Two inflatable rafts containing four adults and 10 juveniles from the Buffalo Bill Boy Scout camp flipped on the North Fork of the Shoshone River in an area known as “Devil’s Elbow.”  

The call came into the Park County Sheriff’s …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Boy Scouts survive rafting crash on North Fork

Posted

Two rafters suffered minor injuries after the Boy Scouts’ rafts flipped Friday morning on the North Fork, according to the Park County Sheriff’s office.

Two inflatable rafts containing four adults and 10 juveniles from the Buffalo Bill Boy Scout camp flipped on the North Fork of the Shoshone River in an area known as “Devil’s Elbow.”  

The call came into the Park County Sheriff’s Communications Center at 11:14 a.m.  Devil’s Elbow is located approximately 2 miles west of the National Forest Service boundary. Park County Search and Rescue was activated and immediately responded to the scene.

Upon their arrival, Search and Rescue discovered that 10 of the victims had taken shelter under a rock ledge on the north side of the river. The remaining victims were swept approximately one-quarter mile downstream. They were also on the north shore.

The Search and Rescue Swift Water Rescue Team traversed the river in an inflatable pontoon boat to reach the victims. In order to shuttle them across the river to the south side, the team set up a make shift zip line over the river. The line was then used in conjunction with the pontoon boat to ferry the victims to safety.  

One adult and one juvenile had sustained minor injuries. Both were transported to West Park Hospital as a precaution. Their condition is unknown Friday afternoon.

All of the victims were wearing life jackets and helmets, according to the Sheriff’s Office.  

Medical personnel at the scene said the incident could have been a lot worse and credited the victim’s use of personal safety gear for preventing further injuries.

Comments