Day/date: July 6, 1987
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Follow-up: Visitor Death From Bear Attack
Log number: 87-54B
Date/time of incident: 4/26 Date/time received: 7/6
Park: Glacier Location: Elk Mountain
Reported by: John Chapman, Ranger Activities, RMRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
On April 25th, Mr. C.G. and his wife were hiking in the park. C.G., an
avid wildlife photographer, spotted a female grizzly and three cubs and
went to take photos of them while his wife returned to their car. When he
failed to return, a search was begun. His badly mauled body was found the
next day.
A board of inquiry was held and the report has been issued. A reconstruction
of events based in part on the photos found in C.G.'s camera led to a
determination that C.G. had unduly provoked the grizzlies. He had taken
39 photos of them from 8 different positions, the closest at 168'. Each
time the bears had moved away from him, he had pursued, closing the distance
each time. C.G. finally got too close for the mother, who, in protecting
her cubs, turned on him. Although C.G. tried to climb a tree, the bear
pulled him down and severely mauled him. There was no predation. C.G.
bled, to death, and the bear and her cubs moved on. No management actions
will be taken.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
Libbey, Montana 40
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Fatality, Possibly Drug-Related
Log number: 87-136
Date/time of incident: 7/1, ?? Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Joshua Tree Location: Walkout Canyon
Reported by: Rick Anderson, Superintendent, JCTR (via Gercke, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
The wife of a Marine and an unidentified male were riding around in the
park's backcountry in a '68 Mustang and eventually became stuck just
outside the park boundary. The man walked out to Desert Hot Springs;
although suffering from heat stroke, he was able to advise authorities that
his companion was still out there. The park, local sheriff's office and
California Highway Patrol began a search which resulted in the discovery
of her body in Walkout Canyon, 1.5 miles from the boundary. Cause of
death was heat stroke. A search of the car revealed considerable amounts
of heroin, cocaine, syringes and other drug paraphernalia.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
*** Not currently available ***
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 87-137
Date/time of incident: 7/3, 2 pa Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Rocky Mountain Location: Falls near Endo Valley Road
Reported by: Dave Essex, Chief Ranger, RCMO (via Chapman, RMRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
R.D. was climbing around the falls when he slipped and fell. His body
was recovered from the pool below about 45 minutes later. Park paramedics
detected a faint pulse, but no blood pressure. An effort to save him was
begun, and he was helicoptered out to a hospital in Denver. Since he was
in full hypothermia, doctors felt he could be saved. A CAT scan showed
that he was not permanently damaged. He was warmed from a temperature
of 85 degrees and his pulse and BP began rising, but he succumbed early
on the morning of the 4th.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
R.D. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 7
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Attack On Parle Service Installation
Log number: 87-138
Date/time of incident: 7/4, midnight Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Joshua Tree Location: Park headquarters
Reported by: Rick Anderson, Superintendent, JOTR (via Gercke, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
California Highway Patrol officers spotted an International Scout headed
toward the Marine base at 23 Palms and attempted to stop it for vehicular-
infractions. L.M., the driver, turned the vehicle and headed toward the
park's headquarters with police in pursuit. Officers saw him light a flare
one mile from the IIQ and another one block from the building; both were
placed under the front seat of the Scout. The vehicle crashed through the
wall surrounding the cactus garden in front of the visitor center/KQ complex
and came to a stop. L.M. fired 4 to 5 rounds from a weapon, then both the
vehicle and L.M. ignited. L.M. fled but was still charred from the waist up;
he is in a burn center, but is not expected to live. The vehicle contained
5 10-gallon containers of butane, 2 tanks of acetylene, 10 1-quart containers
of butane, 50 gallons of gas in 2 1/2 and 5-gallon containers, hundreds of
bocks of matches, and many flares. The vehicle also contained several
weapons. Subsequent investigation by MPS, California Highway Patrol and Sail
Bernadino PD reveal that the fire was "a planned human incendiary attack on
a government installation." The feeling is that the park buildings were a
secondary target once it became clear that 29 Palms was not reachable. The
park visitor center and KQ are opened as usual; the park reports about $5000
in damage to the wall and garden.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
M. Unknown Not given
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Stagecoach Accident
Log number: 87-139
Date/time of incident: 7/4, ?? Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Yellowstone Location: Tower Junction
Reported by: John Chapman, Ranger Activities, RMRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
The horses pulling the concessioner-operated stagecoach from Roosevelt
Camp bolted for unknown reasons, and the stage slowly rolled over. There
were 3 wranglers and 19 passengers on board. Of these, 12 were taken
to the hospital; 4 were released without treatment, 5 were treated, and 3
were held overnight in the hospital. None of the injuries was serious.
Note: The following occurred in the park over the three-day weekend: 70
citations were issued for various offenses, three DWI arrests were made,
26 people were transported to hospitals for a variety of reasons, 10 motor
vehicle accidents occurred, 2 minor searches were conducted, and 7 structural
fire alarms were recorded (but only 1 minor fire).
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Probable Employee Suicide
Log number: 87-140
Date/time of incident: 7/5, 630 am Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: USS Arizona Location: Headquarters
Reported by: Rick Smith, CR, I-LAVO (via Gercke, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
R.C., a projectionist for the park, apparently shot himself to death in
the building's projection booth while off duty. A note has been found.
Naval Intelligence is investigating.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
R.C. Honolulu, Hawaii 9/19/29
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 87-141
Date/time of incident: 7/4, 415 pm Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Upper Delaware NSR Location: Handsome Eddy
Reported by: Chief Ranger, UPDE
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
L.B.D. was canoeing with four others on the river. They pulled over to
the Pennsylvania side and went swimming. L.B.D. made it half v/ay across, but
was unable to return and went under. His body was recovered in 8' of
water. No alcohol was involved, but a check will be made to see if drugs
were a factor.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
L.B.D. Newark, New Jersey 2/14/62
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Biker Encampment
Log number: 87-142
Date/time of incident: 7/4, all day Date/time received: 7/6, am
Park: Great Basin Location: Parkwide
Reported by: Al Hendricks, Superintendent, GRBA (via Gercke, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
The outlaw biker encampment went off without incident. About 350 bikers
were expected, but only 50 showed up. The superintendent says there were
no problems.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
87-142 DRAFT
Memorandum
To: Director
From: Associate Director, Operations
Subject: Field Incident Report 87-142
In response to your inquiry of July 10 regarding the above mentioned
report, a follow-up review revealed that the Biker Encampment" was in
fact an outlaw motorcycle group known as the "Barrons". This group and
others, such as the Hell's Angels, over the last three to four years have
gathered at the Great Basin National Park during the July 4th holiday
weekends. As a precautionary measure, additional law enforcement personnel
are assigned to the park during their encampments.
As in the past, we have had no problems develop during their conclaves at the
park.
bcc: 500-RF
650-RF
FPN:RFZarger:rfz:8/6/87
DISK:RFZ-2:File:FIR-142:343-4209
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Demonstration
Log number: 87-144
Date/time of incident: 7/6, all day Date/time received: 7/6, pm
Park: Grand Canyon Location: North Rim
Reported by: Ken Miller, CR, GRCA (via Gercke, WRO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
"Earth First" began its planned demonstration at 9 sin Monday morning, with
about 300 protestors in attendance. There were no incidents in the park as
of early afternoon, but there were some reports of isolated incidents of
vandalism directed against logging operations in the surrounding national
forests.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age