Posted on 06/30/2012 11:03:12 PM PDT by rycharn
A 13-year veteran of the Utah Highway Patrol fell to his death from a cliff during a search and rescue operation Saturday, said Sheriff Jim Winder of the Unified Police.
Aaron Beesley 34, a highway patrol tactical flight officer, was part of the crew conducting a search and rescue operation for two teenagers on the Mount Olympus Trail. The call came into United Police at 4:30 p.m. of stranded hikers on Mount Olympus.
The Utah High Patrol helicopter was called in and was able to find the hikers and airlift them to safety. Beesley was left behind on the ground while the teens were airlifted to safety.
When the helicopter returned they were unable to locate Trooper Beesley. But he was soon located at the bottom of a 90-foot cliff, unconscious on his back. It took 45 minutes for rescue crews on the ground to reach him," Winder said.
"It is with a great deal of sorrow that we are here tonight to announce this passing. This trooper died in the line of duty while engaged in a heroic effort, the rescue of two individuals," Winder said in a press conference just before 11 p.m. Saturday.
No one witnessed the fall, but UPD officials said Beesley apparently was trying to retrieve his backpack, lost his footing and plunged to his death.
"He has given his all in an act of devotion," Winder said.
Trooper Steven Winward, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper, "It's a big loss for our department. It has been many years since we have lost a trooper. A lot of our officers are taking it really hard."
He is a resident of Box Elder County. He leaves behind a wife and three boys.
Eternal rest brother.
I don’t like the SAR culture. Too many nannies in those groups, too many gearheds, and adrenaline junkies.
That being said, we have a lot of unnecessary risk takers currently - providing demand for SAR. You get your butt in trouble for trip so you can tell your friends you did this or that, and, well, that’s your problem. Why should people die trying to rescue your sorry butt. Put the burden of rescue on your family and friends or don’t do it.
Disclaimer - I climb, hike in wilderness, etc. But, like Clint said - ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’
Is it possible the helicopter blew him down onto a slope and off the cliff? Might not have been a lot of wiggle room after exiting the helicopter.
Anything is possible. Accidents do happen to rescuers and victims alike. Sometimes there are “miracles” and sometimes the “chaos theory” applies. Your question is possible, depends on the height between the trooper and the helicopter. The closer the bird gets the more rotor-wash and thus potential for losing ones balance.
What a horribly sad story :-(
Prayers up for the family.
And those teens will always remember the man who died rescuing them.
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