Jackson, Wyo. — At 1:32 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, Teton County Search & Rescue was contacted by dispatch regarding an ATV crash on Shadow Mountain, a popular recreation site about 20 miles north of Jackson in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The patient, a 16-year-old female visiting from out of town, sustained serious head trauma.

The TCSAR ship prepares for a short-haul operation on August 6, 2024. Photo: TCSAR

The girl and two family members were riding two machines as part of a larger guided group, but they were separated from the group at the time of the crash. The girl was wearing a helmet and it is unknown what caused the accident.

After receiving the emergency alert, TCSAR sent volunteers into the field in the helicopter and ground vehicles as backup support. Meanwhile, the team also called in Air Idaho, a medical air ambulance to provide flight-for-life transport if necessary.

With the accident site in a densely forested area on Shadow, the TCSAR helicopter inserted two volunteers onto the scene via a long line. The volunteers detached from the helicopter to begin initial treatment and patient packaging for a short-haul operation. As the TCSAR ship prepared to pick up the patient and rescuers, a thunderstorm moved in and caused the helicopter to be grounded on the valley floor.

Multiple agencies responded to the ATV crash on Shadow Mountain on August 6, 2024. Photo: TCSAR

TCSAR volunteers in a RZR side-by-side vehicle subsequently drove to the scene and picked up the patient and transported her down a dirt road. Taking advantage of a weather window, the TCSAR helicopter lifted off and picked up the patient from the RZR team and transferred her to a Jackson Hole Fire/EMS ambulance and the Air Idaho ship parked at a landing zone at Lost Creek Ranch.

Medical providers continued caring for the patient, who was transported by Air Idaho to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. TCSAR extends our most sincere thoughts and prayers to the girl and her family during this difficult time. The team is grateful for the support from participating agencies, and offers its gratitude to Lost Creek Ranch, which was not involved in this incident, for providing a landing zone for two helicopters and a safe space to conduct this rescue.