Letter to the Editor

Just a quick note to forward the Letter to the Editor that was sent by the father of a young skier that Stephanie and her team recently saved. Stephi was first responder and because of her quick actions this young man survived some horrific injuries, including ruptured femoral and renal arteries, a closed head injury, multiple spinal fractures etc. She received the Park City Mountain Resort's 'Patroller of the Year' award and other recognitions from the ski patrol as well. She loves her job, tough as it is sometimes.

Letters to the Editor
They turned potential disaster into a miracle
PR
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 01:00:00 AM MDT
Editor:
As a frequent skier at our three resorts, I often fail to notice the ski patrol doing their job. Only the sound of the Air Med helicopter makes me think, but only for a few seconds, about the work that these professionals are performing. On Tuesday, Feb. 26, my cell phone rang while I was approaching the top of the Motherload lift at PCMR. My oldest son explained that his 22-year-old brother had fallen down the Hour Glass at McConkey's and was seriously injured.
I rushed to the base of the McConkey's lift and was able to speak to a patroller who was helping coordinate Cameron's evacuation. His vital signs were very weak and he was in considerable pain. The patrol had arrived within minutes of a 911 cell call and they began to stabilize Cameron and get him on a backboard for the ride in the toboggan down the steep chute. Within a few more minutes I could hear the sound of the helicopter's rotors racing up the canyon and landing on a flat spot at the bottom of the Sampson trail. I skied toward the flare that the patrol had lit to guide the helicopter in and was met by the ski patrol and the medic on the heli who provided me with an update on Cameron's condition and was told I had only seconds to see him as he was swiftly transferred aboard and rushed to the U Medical Center ER.
Cameron was diagnosed with multiple internal injuries and had two surgeries within 14 hours. Miraculously he is back at home convalescing and he should have no permanent injuries.
I would like to recognize Patrollers Stephanie Folkman, Kevin Hammonds, Andy VanHouten, Zack Zane plus the Air Med Crew of Beth Fischer, John Cooper and Dan Yeoman along with the U of U ER team, Trauma team, Neuro team and anyone else who I may have missed. Your professionalism and dedication turned what could have been a disaster into a miracle for our family. Kenneth J. Block Park City