Day/date: July 7, 1987
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Climbing Fatality
Log number: 87-135
Date/time of incident: 7/3, 11 am Date/time received: 7/7, 7 am
Park: Denali Location: Messner Couloir
Reported by: Doug Erskine, Ranger Activities, AJRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, T7A30
Summary:
P.J., a Polish national, was descending the Messner Couloir on Mt.
McKinley when he fell 2,600' to his death. He was at the 17,300' level
on the mountain at the time. His body was recovered by two Polish and
two American climbers and lowered to the 14,000' level, where he was
removed by fixed wing on the 4th.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
P.J. Poland 35
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Bear Incident
Log number: 87-145
Date/time of incident: 7/5, 9 am Date/time received: 7/7, 7 am
Park: Denali Location: Not specified
Reported by: Tom Griffiths, CR, DEMA (via Karen Cox, ARO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A visitor, whose name was not reported, was backpacking approximately
1/4 mile off the main park road. He noticed a bear in time to avoid
confrontation, but got caught up in photographing it. The bear then
approached, so the visitor took a fetal position for protection. The bear
then sniffed him, bit him in the right calf and departed. No further
information currently available.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
*** Not known ***
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Probable Suicide
Log number: 87-146
Date/time of incident: 7/6, 5 pm Date/time received: 7/7, 7 am
Park: Valley Forge Location: Near "Hospital Hut"
Reported by: John Bandurski, Ranger, VAFO (via Supernaugh, MARO)
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A jogger found C.B. hanging by a rope from a tree at the rear of
"Hospital Hut" just off the park's multi-use trail. Tredyffrin Township
Police are investigating the incident as a presumed suicide. A bicycle
was found at the scene, but C.B. was 15 miles from Ids residence and
not dressed for bicycling. A search is being conducted for a vehicle.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age
C.B. Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 8/1/63
FIELD INCIDENT REPORT
Incident type: Drowning
Log number: 87-147
Date/time of incident: 7/6, 4 pm Date/time received: 7/7, noon
Park: Coulee Dam Location: Near Cloverleaf Campground
Reported by: Mark Forbes, Ranger Activities, PNWRO
Received by: Bill Halainen, Ranger Activities, WASO
Summary:
A fisherman found the body of a 20 to 25-year-old woman floating in the
lake. She was in the water about 3 days and is so far unidentified.
There are no local missing person reports. Rangers are currently searching
the lake for the victim's boat or for other possible victims.
Persons involved:
Name Address DOB or age