HAM RADIO WAS THERE
9/18/07 (5:00 pm MT)
Ward (K6CCH) was traveling through the area on highway 36 toward Estes Park (St. Vrain at mm15) when he came across a Mini Van that was down a 30ft embankment. One victim was trapped underneath the vehicle, there was another one outside the vehicle and 3 walking wounded. He then called Ray (W9LQM) who was monitoring the Longmont Repeater (147.270) to ask for help to get police, fire and medical on scene. Agencies responded from Lyons, Pinewood Springs, Longmont Emergency Unit, Air-Life, 911 (out of Greeley), Boulder County Sheriff and the Colorado State Patrol. Ed (KB0TVH) listened to the HAM, VHF and 800 frequencies while teaching a student - James. James then said that he was monitoring the Longmont Repeater 147.270 TO see if he could help.
Frequencies for call:
154.220 FIRE
153.785 Air-Life 911
154.415 red 3
154.280 GROUND CONTACT FOR AIRLIFE 911
155.145 GREEN
dtrs 800 COLORADO STATE PATROL
Submitted by Ed (KB0TVH)
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Around 5:00 pm on 18 Sept
Around 5:00 pm on 18 Sept 2007, I heard K6CCH call EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY on my scanner. Before I could get my radio turned on he called MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. I took the information about a van being off the road about 4 miles West of Lyons. There were several people involved who were not doing well. K6CCH suggested that a "flight for life" helicopter would be needed.
I called 911 with this information and first connected with Longmont. They wanted to know my location, so I gave them my address (so they wouldn't think this was a crank call) and proceeded to explain that I had information via ham radio about an accident up highway 36. I was then transferred to another 911 unit where I explained the situation and then was finally transferred again to Boulder County 911 unit.
All the information that was given by K6CCH was relayed, including the request for the helicopter (knowing full well that such equipment
would not be mobilized unless requested by the proper authority). I was assured that police and fire units were already on there way, which I relayed back to K6CCH.
Several Minutes later, after having descended the embankment for a closer look, K6CCH reported that one victim had the symptoms of shock with a laceration on the back and the another victim was trapped under the vehicle farther down the canyon. I called 911 again and was transferred immediately to the Boulder 911 unit. I gave the new information, but was told to not call again unless I was on the scene. I was taken back by this response and in hindsight should have been more insistant that I was relaying information from an Amateur Radio Operator WHO WAS AT THE SCENE. Fortunately, K6CCH did not call again until after the crisis was over.
K6CCH reported after about an hour, as he continued on his way toward Estes Park, that everyone was evacuated - one via helicopter. He estimated that our radio contact probably cut 20 minutes off the response time.
K6CCH further reported that eye witnesses coming down the canyon saw the vehicle weaving and even crossing over the center-line on occasion. Suddenly, the vehicle went out of control, hopping over the guard-rail and hitting a tree. Then, it rolled down the canyon to the river below. All the passengers were ejected from the vehicle at some point in this process. The newspaper reported the next morning that alcohol was not involved.
Thanks to everyone who helped and we hope the best for injured.
Ray (W9LQM)
HAM RADIO WAS THERE
I was very glad that Ray (W9LQM) was monitoring his radio. I had tried to contact others through several of the other repeaters in the area, however, with no luck. So with Ray there, and communication open, the first of two coms commenced. Now with Ray standing by I headed down the hill to the casualties and found five; three men and two women. There was a biker down there who had started the assessments however what I found was a Full size van, white in color on its side and on top of one of the females, straight across her pelvic area. My first thought was that if she had internal bleeding that perhaps the van was keeping her blood up top and her alive. The second female appeared to be in shock with a large laceration to the left side of her back, rapid pulse and labored breathing. I told the one other helper by her side to unbutton her trousers so that the blood was unhindered and to keep her legs raised. Her shoes were sneakers and loose so I turned to the male who appeared to have the possibility of a fractured femur. The other two males appeared to have suffered minor cuts and scrapes.
Amateur Radio is an awesome tool and in my opinion a life saver. With the revised testing requirements as they are, all people interested in the hobby, or serving their community, or in being prepared for natural disasters should become familiar with it and obtain their licenses.
Ward (K6CCH)