KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The helicopter crews of Air Station Kodiak had a busy couple of days, with a medevac from Ouzinki and a rescue near Port Lions.
On Friday a man clearing trees as part of the Ouzinki airport expansion was injured when one of the trees fell on him. Twenty-five-year-old Scott Zimmerman suffered a broken leg and other injuries. An MH-60 Jayhawk arrived at the Spruce Island community about an hour after the request for a medevac was called in. Rescue swimmer Michael Gerent had to hike about a half mile from the landing zone to reach Zimmerman, who he said had already been prepped for transport. He and Zimmerman’s co-workers carried him out on a litter to the waiting helicopter. Zimmerman was turned over to civilian EMTs at about 1:30, who took him to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center where he was treated.
On Saturday, an Anchorage hunter was reported overdue near Port Lions. Thirty-seven-year-old Johnnie O’Fallon apparently became lost while hunting alone on Friday and was unable to relocate his ATV, and so began hiking back to the village. He was reported overdue on Saturday morning and the Alaska State Troopers began an aerial search for him. Meanwhile, a Coast Guard helicopter brought a civilian search and rescue crew to Port Lions. At about 2 p.m. Saturday, Wildlife Trooper pilot Alan Jones located O’Fallon about five miles west of the village and altered the chopper crew. Lieutenant Commander Craig Neubecker said the MH-60 was only about a mile away when Jones located O’Fallon. A rescue swimmer was lowered and found O’Fallon to be in good shape with no injuries. He was hoisted aboard and returned to Port Lions.
